The celebrations involved a function and awards to employers to recognise their role in producing the skilled tradespeople of the future for the Yass Valley and beyond.

Workplace learning coordinators Anja Livingstone and Carissa Mills from the CRBEC worked with teachers and students to find the most suitable employers in each industry area, which include construction, digital technology, engineering, primary industries and hospitality.

“We work with other schools in the region too, but Yass High School is the only one that conducts awards presentations, so this shows how important the program is to them,” Ms Mills said.

Rod Saville, head teacher of VET, says participants increased since the program began in 2015.

“The students’ reception has been quite positive. They’re out there wanting to learn and they enjoy it more than school,” he said.

School principal Sandra Hiscock said the program already had immediate positive results for students.

“We have a number of students already being accepted by Charles Sturt University in primary industries courses.

“That’s what happens when we make educational opportunities at our school,” she said.

Ms Hiscock thanked CRBEC and local community members, “for giving our kids the opportunities to do workplace learning – it’s really important”.