CHARLOTTETOWN – Jan. 8, 2026 – RDÉE Prince Edward Island is in full recruitment mode for the 23rd edition of PERCÉ, its popular summer internship program. Coordinator Natalia Saldarriaga invites PEI post-secondary students to submit their applications to participate in the program by March 31st.

“This summer, we will offer participants from all over the province training sessions on topics such as self-awareness, job readiness, and discovering Island career opportunities. Participants will also benefit from a maximum of 10 weeks of paid work in their field of study with an Island employer. This experience will give them a taste of their future career and a distinct advantage over their classmates when it comes time to find permanent employment after graduation.”

Bilingual students (French/English) will be given the priority but English-speaking students are also urged to apply. Once participants have been selected, they will be helped to find a suitable internship. Interns will receive the salary normally paid to a beginner in this type of work.

Employers will receive a subsidy to help cover a portion of the students’ salaries. In addition to receiving this salary incentive, employers will benefit from the services of an enthusiastic student who has learned the latest practices in their industry and is eager to learn. “Employers who would like to host an intern are encouraged to fill out an interest form on our website and let us know if they already have a participant in mind who could fill the position. This would greatly increase their chances of being selected,” notes Saldarriaga. “Any interested employer is asked to send us an email at perce@rdeeipe.org .”

Since its inception, the PERCÉ program has welcomed more than 540 interns. Saldarriaga points out that the program’s primary goal is to encourage young people who are studying mainly outside the Island to return to their home province to live and work after graduation.

A few years ago, a short promotional video was produced to explain the program in more detail. It can be viewed at https://youtu.be/BBnAC-PJS9w

For more information or to apply, visit www.percepe.ca. Questions can be sent to perce@rdeeipe.org.

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PHOTO: RDÉE PEI’s special projects manager, Julie Gallant, left, and PERCÉ program coordinator Natalia Saldarriaga proudly launch the 23rd edition of this post-secondary internship program.

 

For more information:

Julie Gallant
Special Projects Manager
Responsible for PERCÉ Program
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
(902) 954-1286
perce@rdeeipe.org