Human Resources, Labour and
Employment
January 18, 2010
Graduate Employment Program Expanded Through
Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy
The Williams Government's
Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy, a long-term
plan that will guide investments aimed at making
Newfoundland and Labrador a province of choice for young
people, is already having a positive impact through
initiatives such as the expansion of the Graduate
Employment Program (GEP).
As part of the province's
Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy, funding for the
GEP will be increased by over $2 million during the next
three years, including $200,000 that has been approved
to expand the program for the fiscal year 2009-10. This
will help create approximately 110 more job placements
annually and expand professional development
opportunities for program participants.
"When we were developing
the strategy, our young people told us that gaining
access to employment opportunities, especially quality
entry-level positions to help them gain career
experience, was their foremost priority," said the
Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources,
Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Youth
Engagement. "Our investment in this program will
increase the number of GEP placements available to young
people by approximately 50 per cent. This will
significantly enhance career development opportunities
for our next generation and strengthen our provincial
labour market with the young skilled workers we need to
meet future demands."
The GEP is a program
designed to help recent post-secondary graduates secure
valuable work experience as they enter the workforce to
begin their careers. The program also benefits employers
by providing a wage subsidy towards salary costs as an
incentive to hire young, skilled workers that will help
their businesses grow and compete. The GEP gives
employers 60 per cent of the starting salary for an
approved position up to a maximum program contribution
of $10,000 over a period of 52 weeks. While the GEP is
not restricted to the creation of new positions, it is
not intended to be used to displace current employees.
"The Graduate Employment
Program is significant for employers and business
operators – youth bring skills and learning, as well as
new approaches shaped by our university and colleges,"
said Denis Mahoney, Chair of the Business Coalition.
"Youth experience first-hand how workers and employers
apply initiative, innovation and hard work to drive
successful industries and organizations in Newfoundland
and Labrador. It is a smart investment, and I encourage
employers and recent graduates throughout the province
to find out about the benefits of participating in this
program."
The Honourable Danny
Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and
Minister Sullivan officially launched Creating A
Province of Choice: A Youth Retention and Attraction
Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador on November 5,
2009. Developed by youth, for youth, in close
collaboration with business, labour, and community
leaders, the strategy is supported by a three-year $15
million budget and contains 41 action items aimed at
countering the impacts of out-migration, strengthening
the labour market and supporting the economic
development of the province. For further information
about the province's Youth Retention and Attraction
Strategy, visit
www.youth.gov.nl.ca
Individuals and employers
seeking information about the Graduate Employment
Program can visit
www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/hrle/students/graduate.html or
call the Labour Market and Career Information Hotline
toll-free at 1-800-563-6600.
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Media contacts:
2010 01 18
10:55 a.m.
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