Please read the information below before consulting the list of courses available at this time.
French Language Services (FLS) offers learning opportunities for bilingual and unilingual provincial government employees, including those with a background in French Immersion. The primary goal of the French language training funding program is to provide our workforce with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skill base in conversational French to be able to provide excellence in public service in both English and French as required under the French Language Services Act.
University of Prince Edward Island is the provider for French language training. Beginner, intermediate and advanced level courses are offered online and times vary. Supervisor approval is not required for courses offered on employee personal time but required if training or tutoring takes place during work hours.
Courses sponsored by the French Language Training Program are free of charge to employees and their departments. This funding is available to classified and casual civil service employees, including employees of Health PEI. Employees may also decide to acquire Development and Training Funds (department, excluded and unionized -UPSE civil) to cover the cost of French language training not covered through the French Language Training Program or the French Language Training Government Institution Program.
Eligible departments covered under the French Language Training Program are as follows:
- Agriculture
- Economic Development, Innovation and Trade
- Education and Early Years*
- Environment, Energy and Climate Action
- Executive Council Office
- Finance
- Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture
- Health and Wellness
- Housing, Land and Communities
- Justice and Public Safety
- Legislative Assembly
- Museum and Heritage Foundation
- PEI Liquor Control Commission/PEI Cannabis Management Corporation
- PEI Public Service Commission
- Social Development and Seniors
- Transportation and Infrastructure
- Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population
Education and Early Years* (except for teachers who are currently teaching or will be teaching within the coming year and school board employees*). Teachers may communicate directly with the French Programs Coordinator at 902-438-4859 for departmental funding if they wish to take the French Language Training.
The French Language Training Government Institution Program sponsors the following agencies, boards and commissions, who are subject to the French Language Services Act. This funding covers 50% of the course cost, requiring 50% to come from their employer (government institution). Applications under the French Language Training Government Institution Program must include an email or a letter confirming funding from their employer.
- Bio Food Tech
- Finance PEI
- Innovation PEI
- Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission
- Island Waste Management Corporation
- PEI Human Rights Commission
- Workers Compensation Board
Eligibility Criteria:
French language training is open to all active employees but availability for the courses is limited. Access to training will be prioritized according to the French Language Services Act of Prince Edward Island 2020-2027 Strategic Framework's four general priorities: Communications and access to information, Health, Education and Social Services.
New enrollments to French Language Training are assessed considering first, the priority sectors identified above, and second, the sub-section 8.03 FRENCH LANGUAGE TRAINING of the Human Resource Policy and Procedures Manual:
• Priority Level 1: An employee whose position is designated bilingual.
• Priority Level 2: An employee whose position within a division supports and complements an existing bilingual position; or a manager whose division has designated bilingual positions.
• Priority Level 3: An employee whose position, although not related to a bilingual position as above, might be called from time to time to serve the public in both official languages.
• Priority Level 4: An employee who wishes to receive French language training for career purposes within the Prince Edward Island Government.
Applicant Responsibilities:
• If you must withdraw from the course within the deadline established by UPEI, please notify the Learning and Development Administrator immediately at 902-368-6175.
• Supervisor approval is required for courses offered on employee work time. Supervisor approval is not required for courses offered on employee personal time.
• Participants are expected to attend all scheduled classes. If an employee must miss a class due to extenuating\unforeseen circumstances, it is the employee’s responsibility to make arrangements with their facilitator to obtain missed materials and lessons.
• The expectation is that employees will attend a Virtual Conversation Group in place of a missed class.
Contact (902) 368-6175 or email frenchlanguagetraining@gov.pe.ca for any questions or concerns.