Recent post-secondary graduates in the province can access that critical first job, and help move their career forward through the Graduate Employment Program. In Budget 2007, the Provincial Government, with an additional $1,060,000, doubled its investment in the program to $2.2 million.

"The Graduate Employment Program is a winning formula for both the recent graduate and the prospective employer," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "It enables graduates to make a successful transition from school to work within their chosen field of study, and it supports employers by meeting their need to attract new talent, and recruit important skill sets into their workplace."

The Graduate Employment Program serves unemployed or under-employed individuals who, within the past two years, have successfully completed a post-secondary program of a minimum duration of one academic year.

The Graduate Employment Program provides an employer with 60 per cent of the starting salary of the approved position to a maximum program contribution of $10,000. This subsidy covers a period of 52 weeks. The employer develops and undertakes activities to provide work experience related to the graduate�s field of study, and to pay the recognized starting salary for the funded position.

Employers can obtain an application from any office of the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. Graduates are encouraged to use the program as part of their overall job search. For further information or to obtain an application package, please contact Human Resources, Labour and Employment by e-mail LMCIHotline@gov.nl.ca or call:

"An important part of this government�s overall approach to labour market development rests in providing relevant programs and services to meet the needs of people as they access labour market information, attend post-secondary education and training and connect to employment," said Minister Skinner. "Our investment in the Graduate Employment Program means over 200 graduates will secure work in their area of expertise here in the province."

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Media contact:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources,
Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca 

2007 08 17                                                    9:40 a.m.