Charlottetown, PE, 23 January 2009.
The PEI Health Sector Council today announced the release of the Grade 12 Exit Strategy Survey 2008 Summary Report. The survey was conducted with PEI high school students during the 2007-2008 school year. Over half of the total grade 12 population responded to the survey, which asked a number of questions regarding students’ interest in and knowledge of health occupations, plans regarding post-secondary education and intentions to either leave or stay in PEI to work, and the influence of parents, friends and career promotions campaigns on students’ future work plans.

“The survey shows that students are aware of the need for education beyond high school, and most of the respondents said they planned to pursue post-secondary education of some sort,” said Mark DeMone, Human Resource and Communications Advisor with the PEI Health Sector Council.

“What is very interesting is the amount of student interest in health careers. Students were more interested in health careers than any other sector,” said Mr. DeMone. “That interest increased significantly after the students were provided with information on the variety of careers available in the health field.”

In addition, there was some concern over the number of students considering leaving PEI to pursue opportunities elsewhere. “We know the interest in health careers is out there,” said Mr. DeMone. “The message we want to get to students is that many educational paths in the health sector lead to jobs in PEI that are in high demand and pay well.

“The findings of the survey are clear,” said Mallory King, Student Council President at Montague Senior High School. “High school graduates are considering occupations in health and many are also looking at second choices in health if their first choice doesn’t or can’t happen. It is also clear that knowledge really is power, in that the more information we have about specific occupations, the more students will consider their choices.”

The survey also indicated that parents are a strong influence on students’ career plans. Almost twice as many students said that their career plans were influenced “a lot” by their parents than friends and career promotions campaigns combined. “Parents play a strong role in the career plans and educational paths of high school students,” said Mr. DeMone, “and it is important that parents be informed about the career and education options available to students.”