Post-Secondary Student Program

Hiring post-secondary students for the summer can be a smart way for Prince Edward Island employers to add capacity while supporting workforce development, but wage costs often limit how many positions are possible. The Post-Secondary Student Program helps ease that pressure by covering a significant portion of student wages for summer placements, making it easier to bring motivated students onto your team while giving them meaningful, career-relevant experience.

Delivered by the Government of Prince Edward Island, this program supports employers across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors that offer full-time summer roles to students who are returning to post-secondary studies in the fall. Funding is structured as a wage subsidy, with nonprofits typically eligible for coverage of most or all approved wages and vacation pay, while private-sector employers can receive support for roughly half of eligible wage costs. Placements generally run for several weeks over the summer, with priority given to roles that provide hands-on, experiential learning connected to a student’s field of study, such as skilled trades pathways, health-related work, or other applied learning opportunities.

For PEI organizations looking to build talent pipelines, contribute to community economic development, or advance projects that benefit from fresh skills and perspectives, this program can significantly reduce hiring risk. Reviewing the full program details can help determine how many positions you might support and how this summer funding could fit into your workforce plans.