Allie Auger knows the importance of skills training.  A member of the Saulteau First Nations, Allie is an Aboriginal Skills Navigator for the New Relationship Trust.

Allie is working with First Nations communities to provide support and assistance in all aspects of skills training. This includes connecting communities to organizations such as post-secondary institutions, industry, government, training facilities and employment and training support services.

“I have been working hard on skills training development for a number of First Nations communities and I’m very optimistic that they will all receive excellent outcomes,” says Allie. “My goals are to connect community members and communities to as many resources as possible to ensure the success and well-being of our people.”

Introduced in January, the Aboriginal Labour Market Community Navigator project is designed to help more Aboriginal people in B.C. benefit from skills training and related job opportunities—especially in the natural resources sector. Based in Fort St. John, the communities Allie serves in B.C.’s north are Doig River First Nations, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Saulteau First Nations and Halfway River First Nations.

The program, managed by the New Relationship Trust, is receiving $3.5 million in funding from the federal government over the next three years. A total of seven Navigators and one coordinator are helping Aboriginal people gain better access to training and jobs in growing industrial sectors.

In conjunction with B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, it is anticipated that Allie and the other Navigators will provide services to nearly 50 First Nations communities annually.

Prior to joining the New Relationship Trust, Allie’s career path included working for companies such as Walter Energy Western Coal, Kikinaw Energy, BC Hydro and Spectra Energy.  She has a diploma in Business Administration with a major in marketing. 

“I am extremely proud of my accomplishments and work experience to date,” says Allie.  “I believe these experiences provide me with knowledge of multiple industry sectors and protocols, which I can take to First Nations communities to provide support and guidance for skills training development.”