N.B. Government Suddenly Cancels Student Employment Insurance Program

Post-secondaryEducationNew Brunswick-basedUnemploymentProgram Cancellation for Students and Students I am concerned about both of the organizations.

NB-EI Connect allowed students to receive unemployment benefits while attending a state secondary institution full-time.

In an email received by Global News, the Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labor Department will allow students to collect profits while the program does not meet EI federal requirements. I said that I did. You can work full-time during the semester – it ends “effectively immediately”.

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"Given the current labor market in the state, NB-EI Connect is also inconsistent with the state's efforts to help employers fill in jobs," the email said.

For Kathryn Murphy, it's a bit of a slap.

Murphy attended a course-based master program at Frederickton's New Brunswick University, used the program as an undergraduate, and planned to reapply before it started in the fall. ..

She said her summer job was even aimed at ensuring the program's qualifications when the time came.

"It's just disappointing to get it removed," she said in an interview.

Murphy said the program helped her a lot during her undergraduate years.

"I couldn't work completely because I sometimes took 5 courses and 3 labs. I was completely booked at school, so every other week for $ 500 With an additional charge of $ 800, you can save a portion of that money and use it for rent. "

She is not alone.

St. John's student, Kate Ring Logan, used it for a year as an undergraduate and planned to use it in the fall.

"I don't use it now, but I wanted to use it when I returned to school in the fall, but it's no longer an option."

She said she knew that student loans wouldn't meet all her needs while she was in school. That means Grogan needs to take on a bank loan — not an ideal situation, she said.

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"We also have our own to move to jobs where people need more advanced skills. We are actively preventing you from improving your position. Education by not promoting the continued education of individuals. "

Students accept cancellations

Authorized Practical Hannah Travis, who is studying to become a good nurse, said in a message to Global News that the announcement made her cry.

"I've been waiting four years to join the LPN program, but I can't afford it without EI, so I might have to withdraw now," she said in a message. Said in. "I've been in EI since 2017. Why are you punished? What did I do?"

Some other people have also expressed concern through social media. did.

"Both my daughters have been using this program since they started college," said Twitter user Tim Davis. "It's shameful to pull it out from under them without warning. They chose a summer job based on the number of hours to qualify, but they don't necessarily have to pay. Timing It's cruel. "

Tracy Wilson posted on Twitter that her daughter is using this program.

"She is a full-time nursing student," she said in her post. "It helped me pay her rent and essentials while at school. Student loans only pay her tuition. Not rent, groceries, or / or gas. Other seasonal workers EI I don't know how to qualify, but I don't know the students. "

Jean Sebastian Leger, President of the Federation de Etudiantes e Etudians at the Monkton University Center. Said Thursday that notifications were provided via email with "private recipients."

Leger said he had decided to announce the cancellation because the government had informed them that he would not make a public statement.

"There is no alternative offered for students affected by this news," he said in an interview on Friday.

Leger said it was frustrating and sad.

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Students study Leger explaining and undertaking all sorts of jobs that need to be focused on can really affect its focus and the mental health of the student.

"Basically, the government has created a short-term solution by mortgaging the future of young Newbrands Wicker and students, but that is unacceptable," he said. Said.

The Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labor Department has confirmed that the unemployment program has ended. Federal requirements.

"I heard from many employers who are anxious for workers, especially those in the hospitality and services industry who have access to students who traditionally work part-time," the statement said in an email. ..

The ministry's spokesperson, Paul Bradley, said employment insurance was not intended to fund or serve as financial assistance for post-secondary education. rice field.

"But there is a lot of support and services that students are implementing to support the cost of post-secondary research," he said in a statement.

"Individuals who are unemployed or underemployed and have / have a workforce may be approved to receive EI during training. This support is with the WorkingNB Employment Counselor. It must be part of a jointly developed Employment Action Plan. The training and skill development programs provided by WorkingNB continue to be implemented to provide funding opportunities as needed. ”

The Federal Bureau of Employment and Social Development did not respond to requests for comment by Global News before the deadline.

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