The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today announced nearly $415,000 through the Labour Market Partnerships Program to extend two pilot employment programs for international students and graduates. This continues to fulfill commitments in The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador to provide international student placement and graduate internship opportunities.
The two programs are delivered by the Association for New Canadians AXIS Career Services and provide the following:
- The Student Internship Pilot Program connects full-time international students at the province’s recognized post-secondary institutions with a small or medium-sized business for a full-time 12-week or part-time 21-week internship in their field of study.
- The My First Job in Newfoundland and Labrador Pilot Program matches international graduates from Memorial University or College of the North Atlantic with a small or medium-sized business for a 16-week placement in their field of study.
Through these programs, international students are able to secure gainful employment and expand their professional networks in their field of study, making it easier to permanently settle in Newfoundland and Labrador. Additionally, employers gain access to highly-skilled international interns and employees who can provide a fresh perspective and insight into the international marketplace.
Launched in 2017, the programs have supported 41 international students and graduates to date.
Since 2017, the number of individuals supported toward permanent residency by the Provincial Government has increased by over 25 per cent. Preliminary data for 2018 indicates 1,530 individuals became permanent residents in Newfoundland and Labrador, representing a 20 per cent increase in the number of permanent residents over 2017.
This initiative delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Our post-secondary institutions are a magnet for students from around the world who want a safe and welcoming place to get a world-class education. These students spend years getting to know Newfoundland and Labrador and by graduation time, many would love to stay. These two innovative programs by the Association for New Canadians help international students and graduates do just that. By introducing them to local employers in their field of study both while they’re in school and following graduation, these programs increase the likelihood and ability of international students and graduates to permanently settle right here.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minster of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
“AXIS Career Services, the employment division of the Association for New Canadians, developed and piloted the My First Job in NL and Student Internship Programs for 40 International Graduates and Students from 2017-19. Designed to match a talented and skilled pool of newcomers with local employers, the positive response to these leading-edge programs exceeded our expectations. We are delighted that these targeted initiatives have been extended until 2021 and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with government, post-secondary and employers to expedite labour market entry for international students and graduates who have chosen to make Newfoundland and Labrador their home.”
Eileen Kelly-Freake
Director, AXIS Career Services, Association for New Canadians
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Learn more
The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism
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Media contacts
Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca
Jean Graham
Association for New Canadians
709-749-1018
jgraham@ancnl.ca