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):