Convincing immigrants to settle in PEI a challenge for organizations

The Francophone Integration Cooperative of Prince Edward Island (CIF) held its 2nd IPE Opportunities forum on Wednesday. Bringing together businesses, organizations and government, the event aims to introduce newcomers to the range of employment and volunteer opportunities, so that they can settle in the province.

The event, organized for the first time in October 2023, was renewed in a reduced version in partnership with the French-language school board (CSLF), the Public School Branch (PSB) and the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) on the occasion of a welcome day for new students in the Bachelor of Education – French as a Second Language. This population is particularly difficult to retain in the long term, according to the main stakeholders.

We really have difficulty recruitingconfirms Nathalie Malo, human resources manager at the CSLF.

It’s very competitiveadds Diane Arsenault, French-speaking human resources consultant at the PSB.

The two managers insist on the need to show job opportunities to students from the start of the course.

PSB, they’re still asking me that question: ”Where are they from? Are they going to stay, do they want a job in Prince Edward Island?””,”text”:”The school board, the PSB, they are always asking me the question: ”Where are they from? Are they going to stay, do they want a job in Prince Edward Island?””}}”>The school board, the PSB, they are always asking me the question: ”Where do they come from? Are they going to stay, do they want a job in Prince Edward Island?’says Elizabeth Blake, coordinator of the baccalaureate in education at RIVERS.

This year, the majority are coming from elsewhere, so we decided to organize a day for them with the French-speaking community organizations on the island to say “Stay on the island!”she continues.

“Change the plan”

In the public, the students interviewed are cautious about the idea of ​​settling in the province.

Fetta Rekkal, originally from France, admits to having no ties in the province, nor in any other. She does not rule out staying. It will depend on what school boards offer me in terms of employment opportunities.she specifies.

boyfriend at my place”,”text”:”For me, I would be more inclined to return home because I already have like my house, I have like my family, my boyfriend at my place”}}”>For me, I would be more inclined to return home because I already have my home, I have my family, my chum At my housesays Kade Boissonneault, originally from Moonbeam, Ontario.

I’ve made some really good friends who talk about how fun it would be if we all stayed here.

If the opportunity arises, I wouldn’t mind staying, but at the moment, the plan would be to return homeadds the young woman.

The aim of the CIF is to make this plan change.

We may have already established that we are going to be here for a year, but if roots are created during that time, if there are good points that come out during the stay here on the Island, the plan can to changebelieves Eugénie Parent.

This strategy is not limited to future teachers. The 3rd edition of the IPE Opportunities forum is already in the pipeline for the fall, in a broader version, in order to retain those who settle in the province before the idea of ​​leaving germinates.

Retention, we tend to say that it starts very very very early, so the sooner we can say: “Here, this is what it looks like”, the greater the chances are that they staysays Eugénie Parent.

The director of the CIF insists on the two-year window to act, before a family member finds work elsewhere and takes all his relatives to the continent.

With information from Julien Lecacheur