Employment Assistance Service
The Employment Assistance Service (EAS) team works collaboratively with other IRSA departments to provide integrated employment-related support tailored to help clients overcome the specific barriers faced by newcomers to Canada.
You are eligible to receive these services if you are:
- Living in the province of Prince Edward Island, and
- Legally entitled to work in Canada.
If you are a new immigrant, after you arrive in PEI and register with IRSA, you can make an appointment to meet with an employment specialist. The specialist will begin by asking questions about your education, previous work experience, skills, and qualifications, and then help you become an independent jobseeker.
Your employment specialist will assist you with:
- Identifying career options in Canada
- Setting short- and long-term career goals
- Developing your professional, Canadian-style resume and cover letter template
- Becoming licensed in your chosen profession if required
- Researching alternative careers if there are no employment opportunities in your field
- Identifying options for continuing post-secondary education or certification, and skills-building opportunities
- Connecting with professional associations or other organizations for networking
- Exploring the labour market for your career choice
- Job search
- Accessing resources for self-employment if needed
- Identifying volunteer opportunities for you to gain valuable Canadian work experience
- Making connections with potential employers
- Reaching your employment goals
- Applications for available government wage subsidy programs
- Accessing other programs and services as needed
Pathways to licensure
If you are a newcomer with previous work experience in a regulated profession, you will need a license, certificate, or registration to practice in your field in PEI. Your employment specialist will help you understand the pathway to employment. Here are some that are regulated in PEI (not all are listed here):
- Accountants
- Architects
- Dentists
- Engineers
- Lawyers
- Most healthcare professions
- Skilled trades occupations
- Teachers
- Veterinarians