Aligning Millennial Skills with Jobs
How can educated and talented millennials and employers connect efficiently and strategically? Ask the founders of Gradpeek, they would love to tell you about their start-up company. Through an innovative communication/technology platform, the company uses a unique and searchable database that helps potential employees build themselves an impressive profile, and it assists employers in the screening process for potential employees.
Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism; and the Honourable Richard Brown, Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning, today announced government support for Gradpeek. ACOA, through its Business Development Program, is providing an $84,975 repayable contribution to support the company’s intensive marketing plan. The provincial government is providing $50,546 through Innovation PEI and $34,100 through SkillsPEI’s Canada-PEI Labour Market Development Agreement.
Gradpeek is the result of a collaboration between recent UPEI business graduate, Amber James and a seasoned entrepreneur Jonathan Cormier, who wanted to do something about the apparent disconnect between millennial hires and the employers trying to find these qualified and educated young workers. Gradpeek has an office located in LaunchPad, Innovation PEI’s business incubator office in UPEI’s Don and Marion McDougall Hall. LaunchPad was created to assist new businesses by providing mentorship, advice, connections to local groups and associations, funding programs, and turnkey office space.
Quotes
“I am pleased to announce ACOA’s financial contribution for Gradpeek as the company executes its marketing plan. These millennial entrepreneurs are leading the way in shaping the future of our labour force. These young business leaders are taking strategic risks to succeed and this government support clearly demonstrates our commitment to creating a strong, inclusive Canadian innovation agenda.”
Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
“The economic prosperity of Prince Edward Island is directly tied to the success of Island entrepreneurs and small businesses and their ability to turn their ideas into a reality. Our Government is committed to supporting young entrepreneurs as they look to grow their business, build capacity, and contribute to the provincial economy. We are taking a proactive approach by encouraging business development, providing support to entrepreneurs and start-ups, and helping to create more jobs for Islanders. We are pleased to be a part of Gradpeek’s journey and look forward to their continued success.”
Heath MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism on behalf of the Government of Prince Edward Island.
“We are pleased to receive this federal and provincial support which will enable us to introduce Gradpeek as the go-to platform for growing small and medium-sized businesses to make their next great hire. Our marketing plan will better position us to inform students and recent graduates that this service is available to them which will hopefully in turn reduce youth unemployment and underemployment.”
Amber James, Co-founder Gradpeek Inc.
Media contact:
Sheila Kerry
Senior Communications Officer
Economic Development and Tourism
902-620-3688
slkerry@gov.pe.ca