Cowra High Special Ed Head Teacher Sean Leyland said the program, which has been in operation since the late 1990s, helped students become “work ready” as well as helping to meet people outside of school.

Mr Leyland said the program involved students in years 9, 10, 11 and 12 at Cowra High.

“Even if the students are going through to Year 12 we like to have them involved,” he said.

Mr Leyland made special mention at Wednesday’s function of the role played by Job Coaches in the program.

Three job coaches have been involved this year, Amanda McFeeters, Linda Hibberson and Sandra Russell.

Mrs Russell is continuing in the position next year and says she will be visiting employers in the first week of new school year seeking their continued support.

“Our job is to make sure the students are ready to leave school and this is made easier with the very good job coaches we’ve had,” Mr Leyland said.

“Their job is quite a tough job, they need to be local people with local knowledge and local contacts.

“With their work and through the goodwill of local employers the program is able to continue,” he added.

Acting Cowra High Principal Paul Bullock thanked the employers who have worked with the students this year.

“Employers usually go out of their way to take a

student allowing the students to have a bit of a look at what life is like in the workplace,” Mr Bullock added.

Ms Russell said employers weren’t necessarily asked to take students for large blocks of time.

“In some cases they are only asked to take the

students for a couple of hours a week,” Ms Russell said.

Certificates were presented at Wednesday’s

ceremony to the students and employers involved in the program.

The students to receive certificates and the

businesses where they gained experience included:

Sophie Flewitt – Cowra Neighbourhood Centre and

TAFE.

Tasha Dennis – TAFE Cowra.

Dylan Hodgkinson – TAFE Cowra.

Elliot Robertson – Lambing Flat Enterprises.

Renee Turner-Smith – Carinya Childcare Centre.

Wayne Collett – Harry Lambshead.

Oscar Geeves – Bilyara and Coles.

Jake Ryan – Cowra Materials Recycling Centre.

Brenden Kennedy – Cowra Smash Repairs.

Hayden Francis – Leigh Browne Building.

Lincoln Spence – Bernie Wilkinson Building.

Madison Gropler – McDonalds Cowra.