Syrian refugees to get look at P.E.I. farming jobs

Syrian refugees interested in agriculture jobs on P.E.I. will get a chance later this month to see if it's the right fit for them.

They'll travel by bus to three large farming operations that are looking for workers. They will get a tour of the farms and see the kinds of jobs being done there.

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The June 21 field trip is being organized by the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture, the P.E.I. Agriculture Sector Council, and the Association for Newcomers to Canada.

"We are really excited about it and really looking forward to it," said Robert Godfrey, executive director of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture.

About 50 refugees will visit the Kouwenberg dairy farm in Vernon River, the Vanco potato and tulip farm in Mount Albion and Balderston's strawberry and vegetable farm.

It will be a great way to introduce the newcomers to the Island's number one industry and to the job opportunities available, Godfrey said. Some of the refugees may be looking for temporary work while they look for employment in their profession, or they may be interested in full-time work in the industry.

The tour will allow them to see "what a typical day on the farm would look like as an employee of that operation," Godfrey said.

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