Student Summer Employment Programs - Jobs for Youth & Post-Secondary Student Programs

Applications are now closed for 2024

Please Note:  Successful Candidates for the Post-Secondary Program will be Contacted by May 10, 2024

PEI employers who hire students during summer may qualify for the employee wage subsidy offered through two separate student employment programs:

  1. Jobs for Youth Program
    This program supports students aged 15-29 working 8-12 weeks during summer and students must be returning to school in the Fall. 
  2. Post-Secondary Student Program
    Supports full-time post-secondary students working a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 18 weeks during the summer. The exact number of weeks designated per placement will be based on factors such as but not limited to: position, wage, and the likelihood of opportunity for experiential learning. Students must be entering or returning to full-time post-secondary studies in the Fall.  
    • Priority will be given to employers able to demonstrate they will provide post-secondary students with a valuable experiential learning opportunity related to the student's field of study (e.g. Pathways to Apprenticeship, Health-related occupations).
    • Experiential Learning opportunities are presented by employers who meaningfully contribute to and advance a student’s education through summer employment. Experiential learning could include: practical field-related skills; insight and knowledge that would benefit the student in their academic pursuits; and/or interactions with environments related to their field of study.

Deadline for applications for both programs is March 29, 2024.

Who is eligible to receive funding?

  • Non-profits
  • Private Businesses
  • Public Sector 

Priority will be given to employers who provide employment opportunities that promote community economic development and/or provide a valuable experiential learning opportunity related to the student’s field of study. 

What is the amount of wage subsidy offered?

Employer can set the wage rate but must provide at least the provincial minimum wage rate of $15.40/hour. The program wage reimbursement support is determined by the employer type (refer to the below table). 

Employer Type
Student Summer Employment Programs (Jobs for Youth and Post Secondary Student Program)
Non-Profit
  • Funding for full-time positions 100% of the provincial minimum wage plus 4% vacation pay for up to 40 hours per week 
Private Sector
  • Funding for full-time positions 50% of the provincial minimum wage plus 4% vacation pay for up to 40 hours per week
Public Sector
  • Funding for full-time positions 100% of the provincial minimum wage plus vacation pay for up to 40 hours per week
  • All project proposals must have signature of the sponsoring department or agency’s deputy head or their designate
For all sectors, only wages and vacation pay are eligible for subsidy, all other costs (EI, CPP, Workers Compensation premiums, etc) are the responsibility of the employer. The project summary and payroll records must be submitted within 30 days of the project’s completion. Any unused portion of any payment must be repaid to the funding agency, Employment Development Agency or Skills PEI.

Can employers apply to both programs?

Yes, employers may apply to both programs to fund multiple positions. Funding cannot be applied from both programs to a single position. 

You must fill out an application for each program if you are applying to both. 

How do I apply for each program?

Use the online form buttons at the end of this page.

When is the deadline for applications?

March 29, 2024. 

What do I need to complete the employer application?

You may be asked to provide employer and project information as follows:

Employer/Business:

  • Business name and contact details, including a primary and alternate contact person
  • PEI Corporate Registry number
  • Business HST number
  • CRA payroll number 
  • Worker’s Compensation Number
  • Organization type, i.e. private, non-profit or public
  • Date of business established
  • Business activity, i.e. major product or service
  • Number of employees in Prince Edward Island
  • Preferred language of service, English or French
  • Legal signing officers for binding legal agreements and payment claims (name and title)
  • Disclosure of previous provincial and/or federal government agreements
  • Disclosure of any default amount owing to a government department or agency

Project/Position:

  • Project or activity description
  • Position title 
  • Job activities/duties 
  • Objectives to be achieved
  • Education and skills required
  • Duration including start and end date and total weeks
  • Rate of pay (hourly)
  • Supervisor name and contact details 
  • Name and contact for person responsible for payroll/timesheet, if different from supervisor
  • Completed PEI Government vendor registration form. Download, complete and print the payee/ vendor registration form. Upload the completed form to the webform (upload field provided).

I’m a student, how do I apply to jobs offered by these programs?

Students seeking summer employment are invited to apply directly to the employer for any position that interests them and create or update their job seeker account at WorkPEI.  Many positions, including those approved under provincial student employment programs are posted to the WorkPEI employment website. 

Who do I contact if I have a question about these programs? 

For all inquiries, please call SkillsPEI's general inquiries line at 1-877-491-4766, email skillspei@gov.pe.ca or visit one of the SkillsPEI offices

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