Rebeccah Gauthier has always liked to work on engines, and hopes to develop those skills with the help of the Native Council of P.E.I.'s SMART program. (Laura Chapin/CBC)

A new program designed by the Native Council of P.E.I. is helping people achieve success in education and fill jobs on P.E.I. in sectors where there are skill shortages.

The SMART (Strengthening and Mentoring Aboriginal People for Realistic Training to Employment) program goes beyond the delivery of high school education, offering post-secondary training in areas where workers are needed on P.E.I.

Nineteen-year-old Rebeccah Gauthier of Meadowbank is working toward a course in aircraft turbine repair at Holland College. With financial help and personal attention offered through the SMART Program, Gauthier has already earned her GED, something she'd tried to get before, but failed.

"The GED program itself was amazing, but knowing that I could get into Holland College and take a trade that I really want to do is something that's incredibly important to me," said Gauthier.

"I know where I'm headed, I know what I'm going to do, so it makes everything easier."

Everyone in the SMART program is working toward a job in one of five short-staffed sectors on P.E.I., said Darragh Murray, the Native Council's employment and training manager. The goal is to offer something at the end of the program that's better than the temporary jobs often offered through aboriginal employment programs.

Darragh Murray, education and training manager, Native Council of P.E.I. Laura Chapin/CBC

"I just see a change in them," said Murray of the program's participants.

"There's a light at the end of the tunnel. It's not going to be a dead end."

The council hopes to have at least half of the 20 people in the first group in a long-term job in two years.

Service Canada provided close to $375,000 to fund the program for three years. That funding runs out in March 2014. Murray said SMART is working, and the council will apply for another round of funding.