We talked to many employers at the Tourism Showcase, and they say the demand is going to be great for employees in retail, food and beverage service and accommodations.
A recent Guardian article reported on the staggering number of visitors expected: 4,400 athletes and coaches from Canada Games; 63,000 passengers from 41 cruise ships and 28,000 delegates from 200 meetings and conventions. Impress employers at a job interview with those stats!
Do you plan to work or volunteer for the 2009 Canada Games? If you do, you could get the gold medal for adding that “Wow” factor to your résumé.
Research shows volunteer work is as valuable as paid work. Think about it and let us know what you think. Email us at employ@pei.aibn.com.
What's inside our March/ April issue of The Employment Journey?
• 2009 Canada Summer Games needs more staff and volunteers
• Western PEI manufacturing company is expanding
• Information Technology company is growing
• Optical business looks to the future
• Entrepreneur breaks down barriers with persistence
• Agriculture sector salutes employer and employee
• Fishermen go into the carpentry business
• Jobs in tourism
• Job interview tips
• Labour Market Information websites to help your job search
• Youth programs
• Adult Education
In other news:
A new round of applications to the Community Infrastructure Program was announced March 11. Small communities have another chance to get funding in roads, water, sport and recreation, culture and tourism.
Five family medicine residents will start the two-year residency program this July. They will be working at the QEH, Prince County Hospital and communities throughout PEI. The residents will work with licensed doctors who will act as mentors. This program was established with the goal to have doctors, who train on PEI, establish practices here.
Graham Watts of Kilmuir was awarded the prestigious Frank H. Sobey Award. The award recognizes business students who have excelled academically and demonstrated a commitment to extracurricular and community activities. In 1999, Graham started Nature Trails that makes walking sticks, bird houses, bird feeders, bat houses and twig pencils.
Read more about the fourth-year UPEI student’s story in our March/ April 2008 issue. Go to our homepage and click Archives on the top menu.
PEI Literacy Alliance published a special newsletter for International Adult Learners Week. We have known all along that adult learners’ stories are inspirational. Reading their stories lets you know that anything is possible.
Read Jeanne Roche’s story in our March/ April issue.
Check out all the stories at www.peiliteracy.ca and click on publications.
The Charlottetown Rotary Club published its annual supplement of PEI businesses March 24. Finance, retail, health, animal health, law and more were featured.
These people may help you get connected to an education and/ or career you want.
The Employment Journey is funded by the Canada/ Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement (www.lmda.pe.ca)
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( 3.5 / 408 )Cold enough for you? Winter is taking its toll on PEI so far this year. Luckily for you this is a good time of year to do research on who’s hiring and where to go to school. Get a head start with our February/March review. We would love to hear your thoughts about jobs and career decisions. E-mail us at employ@pei.aibn.com .
Cover story:
COWS will be mooving its ice cream making and silk-screening operations to a brand new building taking shape at the North River causeway. Visitors will be able to watch and sample as the products are being made. COWS hires about 60 seasonal staff every year, and will hire an additional 20 to work at the new CREAMERY this year. Hiring starts in February.
Manufacturing:
Aspin Kemp & Associates hope to hire 10 people with experience in electrical engineering, software development, AutoCAD drafting, and technical work to build control panels for tugboats that run on a combination of diesel and electrical motors. Hiring starts right away. Construction of the new facility will start in spring, and they hope to open in late summer.
Phyterra Yeast Inc. is renovating a manufacturing facility at Grahams Pond in Kings County. As the company grows, they will need to hire a site manager, production staff, engineers and biologists.
Construction:
The Residential Construction Sector Council wants to encourage more people to consider a career in the trades. The Council’s executive director says that in spite of the economic slowdown, there is a great need for more tradespeople who are qualified and have their Red Seal certification.
Changing careers:
Kevin Leonard moved to PEI from Newfoundland. The Montague native needed a new career direction after the sawmill he worked for closed down, so he talked to Career Development Services to get some help deciding what to do next. Kevin wanted to stay in Montague. He also talked to Active Communities Inc. and got advice about going into business for himself as a bookkeeper and tax preparer.
This next story is a lesson in persistence and not being afraid to take a risk! Normie McInnis took the Industrial Electrical Technician program at Holland College. He got comfortable at a job which didn’t match his qualifications. He decided to take the plunge, and took a temporary four-week job with Entegrity Wind Systems . Within a few months of returning to his old job, he was offered a permanent position as a Wind Turbine Technician. Now three years later he is Entegrity’s Field Service Coordinator.
A couple who owned a hunting and fishing lodge in northern Ontario sold it and moved to Rollo Bay, where they opened the Fiddlin Lobster Restaurant. They are open year round, employ 10 people, and may hire more in the summer.
Back to school:
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is offered in Charlottetown and in Summerside. We feature a woman from Korea who came with her husband and two children, and a woman from Colombia who is a biologist and oil painter whose work is displayed in Island galleries.
People who earn their GED always have inspiring stories to tell. We talked to a man from Summerside who was devastated when he lost his job. But with the help of Career Development Services and some counselling sessions, he developed a plan which included earning his GED. Now he is reading books for fun for the first time in his life, and he feels a whole world of possibilities has opened for him.
Another GED student went back to school because she was tired of working at seasonal jobs. She feels she will have many more career opportunities once she earns her certificate.
Jason White left the Island to work in the computer science department of McGill University in Montreal. He returned to PEI to enjoy a better quality of life here. Since moving back, Jason has opened his own computer service business and is also teaching at CompuCollege.
School Life:
Charlottetown Rural offers a program called Test Drive. Students can talk to Kent Avery, Cooperative Education Coordinator, about finding out more about a career. Students have spent time with ambulance drivers, forestry workers, and with the PEI physician recruiter, to name a few.
UPEI’s Webster Centre for Teaching and Learning offers help to UPEI students in writing, math, and in making decisions about their future education and career direction. Help is also available for high school and college students, and for people with disabilities. We talk to a student who has used the Webster Centre’s services to learn study skills, time management, coping with stress, essay writing, and career planning.
It’s time to register for summer school classes at Holland College Adult and Community Education.
Website of the month: www.peiinfo.ca is a website that was developed by Charlottetown native John Morris. When you click on the section called PEI Jobs, you get quick links to job sites from organizations and companies that could be hard to find on your own.
More job opportunities: Revolution Media in Summerside specializes in graphic design, web programming, marketing, and consulting. The owner, Chris Palmer, is an Islander who returned to PEI after getting work experience at a variety of Internet providers. He says he will be hiring at least three people within the next six months.
Testori Americas Corporation plans to hire 15 to 20 people immediately. These new jobs are for the production of components for trains and planes such as moulded fiberglass and plastic luggage racks, lavatories, doors, and windows. Experience is not necessary, but it would be an asset to have some knowledge of auto body work, painting, blueprint reading, or carpentry.
Jason Pitre of MRE Real Estate in Charlottetown encourages people to consider a career as a real estate agent. He says he is always on the look-out for people with flair, persistence, ambition, and a genuine desire to help people.
We have tips for successful job hunting when visiting the Kings County Job and Career Fair in Montague in April.
In other career-related news:
The February 2009 Buzz notes that Jay Perry of Summerside is planning training sessions in audio/visual operations. This service is in demand now at churches, stages and offices across PEI. Cheryl Wagner of SuperChannel wants to help PEI’s film and TV community get their projects off the ground and on the air. She is planning a networking session this spring.
The PEI RoadBuilders and Heavy Construction Association recently released its annual publication. It’s always a great resource on who’s who in construction and what future projects are expected.
The Winter 2009 issue of Progress Magazine has its annual Aerospace and Defence Annual insert. It mentions that aerospace is PEI’s fourth largest industry.
The Guardian:
Feb. 21
PEI Government will spend $51 million on manors and home care for seniors as part of its Healthy Aging Policy.
High school students try on a career as an MLA at Province House during the Hillsborough Rotary Club’s annual Youth Parliament.
UPEI Department of Computer Science and Information Technology is offering a Video Programming course to Grade 11 and 12 students from March to June free of charge.
RDÉE is hosting the 2009 Francophone Entrepreneur Banquet March 14 in Summerside. The business support agency is honoring singer-songwriter Christian Gallant and the following four businesses: images@p.e.inc., Sirenella Ristorante, JC Drilling and Tourbillion Design Inc. These companies are finalists for the national Laurier Awards that will be given out in Ottawa this fall.
Harvey Stewart of Trout River Industries says wind turbines in Coleman Corner are generating community interest. Progress Magazine just named him Entrepreneur of the Year. Check out his story at www.progressmedia.ca.
Recent Statistics Canada job reports www.statcan.gc.ca:
Feb. 24:
Amusement park and recreation employment, 2007
Feb. 23:
Survey of Canadian learning styles, 2008
Feb. 20:
Obesity on the job, 2005
Feb. 19:
Study shows how doctors, lawyers, teachers and accountants contributed to the economy between 1997 and 2002.
The Employment Journey is funded by the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement (www.lmda.pe.ca).
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( 3 / 372 )I know it can be easy to believe that you need to leave PEI to get a job. I mean you hear people saying this all the time. I challenge you to form your own opinion, but not before you do the research. If you would like to share any thoughts about how you are making decisions about your future career, please let us know! E-mail us at employ@pei.aibn.com We would love to hear from you!
Take a look at what you will find in the January/February issue of The Employment Journey below. Here’s what we discovered on PEI in the last month:
The cover story: A 2008 survey by the PEI Health Sector Council says youth may have more of an interest in careers in healthcare when they realize how many choices there are in this sector.
Youth information:
High school students from across the Island came to UPEI for Career Options Day to see what trades and technology jobs are available. We featured construction, fashion design, video game development, medical lab technology, aerospace and trucking.
Post Secondary Day is a time for students to meet representatives from college, university and community organizations. This contact gives the students a chance to find out about education and career choices on PEI as well as out of province. Parents also have a major role to play in helping their children decide on their next step after high school.
Charlottetown Rural High School’s Career Day featured people in over 90 professions who came to talk about their careers. Premier Robert Ghiz spoke to students on his employment journey. His public service career began when he voluntered on the 1997 federal election campaign. Before he became the leader of the PEI Liberal Party, he worked at a variety of jobs, including advisor to former prime minister Jean Chretien and manager of government affairs for the Bank of Nova Scotia.
A Grade 9 student got an inside look at careers in Aerospace. He took a tour of Vector Atlantic at Slemon Park, and even got a flying lesson from a staff member who sometimes takes his plane to work! Vector Atlantic plans to add 50 new jobs this year.
The third annual Transition Expo at Westisle High invited students with disabilities and their parents to learn about education and employment support after graduation. Nancymarie Arsenault from the PEI Council of People with Disabilities was there to speak about the Work Abilities program.
Economic and business information:
Economists at the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council say PEI will see little growth in 2009. But employers from aerospace, bioscience, video game development and tourism are optimistic that their businesses will survive the economic downturn.
Renewable Energy:
Peter Arsenault of Pete’s Hearth & Stove Centre in Kensington said three of his employees were hired after doing on-the-job training with him. He may need a new service technician and office/retail person in one year.
IT (Information Technology):
Video game development is becoming strong on PEI. The Game Garage competition picked a team that made and marketed a game. The experience was a great success. All four team members got jobs at Charlottetown video game development companies.
Alet Pieterse, her husband and two small children moved from South Africa to O’Leary 12 years ago. Seeing the need on PEI for her web development skills, she started her own company, Web Site Advantage 10 years ago. In her line of work, 99.9 percent of her clients are male. Alet encourages more women to consider IT jobs. She says if you know what you are talking about and stick to your strengths, you will be respected as a woman.
Catherine Llywd of O’Leary owns Working Advantage Virtual Enterprises Training . Her clients are people with disabilities who use assistive technology to make it easier to use a computer at work. Catherine will also work with companies to install assistive technology software and hardware for employees.
Adult and Community Education:
To meet the qualifications for university and college, more high school graduates are upgrading their marks.Two GED students in Montague are making a career change.
Trades:
Rhéal Arsenault of Mont-Carmel has run Rhéal’s Renovations and Repairs for seven years. He credits his success to planning ahead and to business support from La Société de développement de la Baie Acadienne.
Thomas M. Carver Ltd. of Alliston is a family-owned trucking company celebrating 50 years in the community. Whether it’s behind the wheel or in the front office, a Carver will greet you.
After 25 years in carpentry, Roger Kelly got his Red Seal with help from the Trade Essentials program.
Website of the Month: www.workinpei.ca . This website makes job matches much easier. Job seekers answer simple questions about their employment and education background and can even submit a video application. Employers get help with background checks and interview tips.
New Employment Journey feature - Page 16: Calendar of Events. See what employment-related events are happening on PEI.
Here’s what to look out for in job development news from the provincial and federal governments:
Feb. 6: The federal Gas Tax Fund has over $60 million for PEI projects. It will support upgrades to public transit, roads and sewer/water treatment. The following is a breakdown of the fund:
- $30 million to sewer and/or water service
- $18 million to roads and bridges
- $12 million to land use studies, official plans and bylaws, and alterative energy projects
Jan. 26: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is granting $10 million from its Atlantic Innovation Fund to five PEI companies. The following five are:
1. University of PEI is creating BioMed Atlantic, which will test drugs designed to manage brain disorders such as stroke.
2. Atlantic Veterinary College is testing tissue growth therapy for horses and companion animals.
3. Aqua Bounty Canada is studying salmon reproduction for the commercial fishery.
4. Atlantech Engineering & Associates Inc. is boosting efficiency in the salmon aquaculture industry.
5. Solarvest (PEI) Inc. is developing special oils for salmon feed.
Jan. 20: Community and Cultural Affairs is granting funding to help Eastern Kings Sports Council to hire a Regional Recreation Director. Duties include creating a recreational plan, working with sports groups and encouraging residents to get active.
Jan. 19: Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Carolyn Bertram says artists, dancers, actors, writers, musicians and singers aged 16 to 22 are encouraged to apply for the National Arts Program that takes place here this summer at the Canada Games 2009 Three Islanders will be chosen to interpret the Island Way of Life.
Jan. 14: Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Alan Campbell announced Master Packaging Ltd. of Borden-Carleton is adding 25 new jobs.
Job and economic headlines from the Guardian:
Feb. 7
"Prince County manufacturer Trout River Industries invests in wind power"
"Cruise ship visits generate millions for PEI"
"Questions abound over spring fishery"
"Waterfront Place going through changes"
"Summerside Equine Centre an attractive idea"
"Souris review at consultation stage: mayor"
"Funding announced for major halibut project"
Jan. 24
“Cash infusion gives new life to Summerside Race Way to get $3.5 million facelift”
“Kenmac Energy developing new distribution centre in Cornwall”
“Atlantic provinces agriculture ministers discuss co-operation on joint projects"
Jan.17
“Island not seeing decline in auto sales”
“Driven by music: Many PEI artists pay the bills thanks to their musical talent”
“New aboriginal housing in the works”
“Medical company Timeless Medical Systems updates breast milk ID system”
After looking through all this information, can you still say nothing is happening on PEI? It’s more a case of there is so much happening, how can a person find their way? Well, stick with us. Maybe we can help you find a path along your employment journey!
Tne Employment Journey is funded by the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement (www.lmda.pe.ca).
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