Dept of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour – Fredericton, NB

Provincial Education and Workforce Headquarters

The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL) is headquartered in the historic Chestnut Complex on York Street, a landmark building that once housed the famous Chestnut Canoe Company factory. This department is the engine of New Brunswick’s workforce strategy, overseeing the province’s public universities, community colleges, and adult learning systems. It serves as the central administrative hub for policy-making that bridges the gap between education and employment, ensuring that the provincial labour market remains robust and adaptable to economic shifts.

Student Financial Services

One of the most critical public-facing divisions housed within this department is Student Financial Services. This unit administers the New Brunswick Student Loan and Bursary programs, as well as federal Canada Student Loans. Staff here process thousands of applications annually, determining eligibility for:

• Loans and Grants: Assessing financial need to provide repayable and non-repayable funding for post-secondary education.
• Repayment Assistance: Managing programs for graduates who are struggling to repay their student debt, including the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
• Timely Completion Benefits: Administering debt-reduction incentives for students who complete their studies within the standard timeframe.

WorkingNB and Labour Standards

The department operates WorkingNB, a service brand dedicated to employment counselling and workforce expansion. While there are regional centers, the York Street location houses the strategic teams that design wage subsidy programs, such as the Workforce Expansion Program, which incentivizes employers to hire unemployed New Brunswickers. Additionally, the Employment Standards Branch operates under this roof, enforcing the Employment Standards Act. They investigate complaints regarding unpaid wages, vacation pay violations, and wrongful dismissal, acting as a neutral arbiter between employers and employees.

Immigration and Population Growth

Recognizing the demographic challenges of the region, the department manages the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). Immigration program officers evaluate applications from skilled workers and entrepreneurs wishing to settle in the province, issuing nominations that fast-track permanent residency applications with the federal government. This division also oversees settlement support funding, ensuring newcomers have access to language training and community integration services.