CANADA
The Canadian Province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) has almost doubled the number of millennials working in its Public Service in two years.
The latest annual report from the Province’s Public Service Commission shows the proportion of employees under the age of 35 has risen from seven to 13 per cent.
However, the average age of PEI’s public employees still skews towards baby boomers, which could pose a demographic challenge.
The average age of employees is 50 with around 21 per cent at or near retirement age.
Chief Executive of the Public Service Commission, Tanya Rowell (pictured) said a renewed focus has been placed on recruiting younger employees in recent years.
“The commission has been working with post-secondary institutions, has been recruiting at career fairs and often does internship placements,” Ms Rowell said.
“We’re happy to bring people in,” he said.
“It gives them a chance to have a glimpse of who we are as a potential employer.”
“It is a great time for job seekers right across the island.”
By contrast, the percentage of bilingual staff had increased only from 5.1 per cent to 6.7 per cent since 2014.
“Although this may not seem like a large increase, the PSC has focused recruitment on bilingual staff and has hired a bilingual recruitment specialist,” Ms Rowell said.
“French language training is offered to existing employees,” she said.
“The Public Service Commission, at the end of the day, is wanting to ensure that our Civil Service is representative of the population that we serve.”
“To this end, we have recently developed a diversity and inclusion policy.”
She said the overall size of PEI’s Public Service was increasing, with 3,676 total staff positions in 2019, up from 3,383 in 2014 – an increase of around nine per cent.
Charlottetown, 17 February 2020
