The Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning focuses on expanding the workforce through local training, international recruitment, and support for various sectors, while also enhancing healthcare, education and community support programs to ensure sustainable growth across Prince Edward Island.
Some of the priorities in the mandate are:
- Create local training opportunities for healthcare related programs in communities across the province;
- Continue to fund open-source educational resources to reduce the cost of education for post-secondary students;
- Create an Upskilling and Re-Skilling Fund to work with employers to create unique opportunities to get more people into the workforce through mentorship and training opportunities by working with sector champions;
- Establish the necessary regulations to proclaim the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act and add a Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Officer position to ensure temporary foreign workers are treated with respect and fairness;
- Expand programming with the Construction Association of PEI to provide more pathways for Islanders to enter the construction workforce and make investments to support international recruitment efforts to support the industry in accessing foreign talent to help with creating more housing units across the province.
Structure and Employees
The mandate of the section is to assist in providing a stable and fair workplace environment for industry and labour thus maintaining uninterrupted production of goods and services. This section includes the Labour Relations Board, the Employment Standards Board, the Employer Advisor, the Workers Advisor and the Workers Compensation Appeals Tribunal.
Labour Relations Board
Employment Standards Branch
Employment Standards Board
Office of the Worker Advisor
Office of the Employer Advisor
Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal
GED, Literacy and Essential Skills
Private Training Schools
Student Financial Services
SYnC Youth Initiative
The Employment Development Agency supports individuals who are hindered from gaining permanent employment by providing access to training and meaningful work experiences. The agency provides financial support to non-profit organizations, municipalities, public sector departments and private sector companies to stimulate job development and support its clients.
The Acadian and Francophone Affairs section coordinates and promotes the activities of the Prince Edward Island government within the provincial, Canadian, and international Francophonie. The section also negotiates French language services agreements with the Government of Canada, and ensures implementation of the Agreement on the Promotion of French language services.
Agencies, Boards and Commissions
- Board of Governors of Holland College
- Board of Governors of the University of Prince Edward Island
- Employment Standards Board
- Island Investment Development Inc. Board
- Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission
- Labour Relations Board
- Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Council
- Provincial Apprenticeship Board
- Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal
- Workers Compensation Board
Hon. Zack Bell
- Deputy MinisterMary Hunter
- Executive Assistant to the MinisterJennifer Jeffrey
- Executive Assistant to the Deputy MinisterErin Poirier
- Senior Communications OfficerBrooke Miller