International Students are struggling to get part-time work on P.E.I.

Holland college students at job jumpstart conference on Sept 19,2023.

(Ella Sarpong) Photo

Kristoff Pinder recently moved to P.E.I from the Bahamas. He has applied for dozens of jobs to be able to pay his bills. It has been seven weeks since the Holland College student started applying and he has not heard back from anyone.

“I feel shitty about it, I’ve applied on Indeed, Job Bank, I’ve applied directly on-site and I haven’t gotten anything by far, I do have seven years’ experience with Scotiabank back at the Bahamas,” he said.

Pinder is not alone, there are many international students in the same situation.

ASDA is a non-profit organisation created to link employers and students. They hold workshops and seminars to prepare students for future employments.

“Now that were having a lot of immigrants coming in from different countries and different cultures and traditions, it is essential now more than ever to ensure that we have systems in place and individuals with the right equity literacy,” said Daniel Ohaegbu, the executive director of ASDA.

            International students can only work 20hours a week because of their study permits, meaning they can only apply for part-time positions. But there has been a decline in the number of part-time jobs.

            According to the Job bank Canada full-time employment in P.E.I. grew by a sharp 3000 jobs over the last month, while part-time employment declined by 1,100 jobs.

Ohaegbu agree that the increase in full-time employment is part of the reasons why international students have difficulties gaining employment.

Many businesses in P.E.I. are small to medium in size and most likely to only employ one or two people.

“These organisations are often reliant on wage subsidy programs, often times these programs are not inclusive to international students, so that’s also a barrier to entry.”

Wage subsidies help employers financially, leading them to be able to employ more people.

While there are some of the part-time opportunities outside Charlottetown in Summerside or Montague. Transportation can be hard because buses are limited.

In the two years since the began, ASDA has facilitated 400 connections, 152 interviews and 120 hires.

The organisation will be at the Career fair and Training expo happening at Eastlink Centre on September 27.