Tammy K.

Tammy is a forty-nine-year-old Qalipu First Nations member who recently participated in the Indigenous Security Guard program after hearing a radio advertisement promoting the program. She immediately phoned the Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) Employment and Training program coordinator and started her journey.

The support, guidance and encouragement Tammy got from the program coordinators was absolutely remarkable. “She went out of her way to accommodate me, from letting me work around my work schedule and my vacation I had booked before I knew about the course. She made sure I had everything to be prepared for my final exam, and throughout the whole process, from applying and doing the course. She was there to answer any questions that I had,” said Tammy.

“There was nothing typical about how this course was done,” she said when asked what a typical day during the program was. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the course was all online. In total this course was a 40-hour course but I did it in 18-hours over two days. I had to work 12 hour shifts for 7 days and try to study for my final exam that was booked for the morning after I got off work. I got it done and passed the exam.”

The most surprising thing that Tammy learned and experienced during the program is how much she could accomplish in such a short time while having other obligations. The highlight of the program for her was learning this new knowledge that can help her better her life.

For Tammy, attending this program has led to employment in her new career, which she knows she will love.

When asked what she would tell someone who is thinking about taking this program or something similar but is unsure if they should, she said: “The one thing I would tell someone who is thinking about doing the program but is unsure is you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.”

Indigenous Security Guard Program is funded by Service Canada and the Government of Alberta – Indigenous Relations and administered by ATC. GardaWorld is the hiring partner.