INUVIK - There is a new program at the Inuvik Youth Centre for young adults looking for employment.

The initiative is called the New Horizons Skills Link program. It is for people aged 15-30 who are unemployed and not in school.

Frederick Arey and Johanna Skibsrud are co-ordinating the New Horizons Skills Link program, being offered in the Inuvik Youth Centre. The program is designed to provide young people with the skills they need to be employed. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The program is funded mainly by Services Canada, with additional funding coming from the Inuvialuit Development Corporation and the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

Program assistant co-ordinator Frederick Arey said he is happy to help others gain necessary skills.

"We help people learn new things, like driving lessons, resume building and job interview skills," said Arey.

He said the program runs for four months and is packed with presentations and guest speakers.

"We have guest speakers come in to talk about their jobs and to give advice on certain skills," said Arey.

A traditional carver came in to help the students gain skills with tools and learn the techniques needed to get into carving as a profession.

Arey said the program also offers a three-week work experience component, where the students will have a chance to venture out and work on site in selected professions.

Arey said he thinks it's important to train young people for employment so they can become a part of the community.

"Some people tell me they feel disconnected from the community and want to contribute," said Arey.

The program currently has 12 students, six being Inuvialuit and six being Gwich'in.

Program co-ordinator Johanna Skibsrud has been busy setting up workshops for the first three months of the program.

"I was hired about a month ago and since then I've just been making calls, setting things up," said Skibsrud.

A workshop in the morning and one in the afternoon fills the day for the participants.

Skibsrud said a physical activity is also planned for every week of the program. The first stop is the skating rink.

"We want to go to a different place every week, so swimming is next," she said.

The group is also involved with the Muskrat Jamboree, said Arey.

"We're working with the recreation leaders program at the Aurora College to put on a kiddie carnival," he said.