INUVIK - The New Horizons Skills Link program has 10 graduates to send into the community looking for a new start.

The New Horizons Skills Link program is celebrating its graduation this week. The program is aimed at giving young adults the skills needed to gain employment. Some of the participants, from left, Kathleen McDonald, Mishelle Furlong, Suveni Dillon, Shera-Lyn Allen and Andrew Bernhardt. Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Program co-ordinator Johanna Skibsrud said she is happy with the results of the program.

Skibsrud came to Inuvik in February 2007 to start the program.

The program was officially launched in March. The program is funded by Service Canada, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

"It's a compilation of workshops from around the community and ended with a work placement program," said Skibsrud.

The group participated in a community project, assisting Ingamo Hall with their mini-putt course and helping with the Aboriginal Day celebrations.

Skibsrud said she has seen the group develop their skills and abilities during the program.

"I've seen a lot of growth in them," she said.

"They have done a lot in the past four months. I see a lot of confidence in them."

The program started with 12 participants and ended with 10 graduates.

"I think the best thing they will all take from the program is a feeling that they can achieve goals they want," said Skibsrud.

Skibsrud said that seeing the group graduating from the course is rewarding for them and the community.

"I can tell that they are all excited about moving on to the next step," she said.

Skibsrud said she wasn't sure what the future holds for the program.

"We're talking with Service Canada, they're our main funding source," said Skibsrud.

"Right now it's up in the air, but I know people in the community are talking about the benefits of the program."

Kathleen McDonald, one of the participants in the program who is graduating this week, said the program has helped her gain skills and confidence.

"We've been helping out with the elders' luncheons, and other classes," said McDonald.

McDonald said she first heard of the program from her mother, who wanted her to try it out.

"She was talking about it, I wasn't too enthusiastic about it at first, but it seemed like a good step," she said.

For McDonald, attending the program was a better alternative than returning to high school.

"It's been beneficial to me, I'm able to open up about stuff now," said McDonald.

Now that the course is done, McDonald said she wants to either go back to school, or continue working.

McDonald recommends the program for anyone looking to learn new skills and to get more out of life.

"It's a good program, you just have to stick with it," she said.

Mishelle Furlong, another of the graduates who is looking forward to the trail ahead, said her initial thoughts of the program were positive.

"I read the pamphlet, there are a lot of things that interest me in the program," she said.

Furlong said she wanted to gain life skills and to make a commitment to working hard.

"I never really took time management seriously, but this program has helped me with that," said Furlong.

The class is holding their graduation on Friday, June 29 at Ingamo Hall.