Kyara Tillman is one of a group of students who have just started a police supported education program designed to improve employment prospects.
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The 15-year-old Canobolas Rural Technology High School student wants to finish year-12 and become a midwife, but said she needs help getting a part-time job while she's at school.
"I have a lot of troubles with socialising at school and I'm trying to build that skill," she said.
Kyara and the other 11 students will have lessons three days a week for 10 weeks with PCYC trainer, Glen Brewster, to gain skills and accreditations to equip them for work.
Senior Constable Helen Baker will spend time with the students in her role as PCYC Youth Case Manager, with regular visits from relevant trainers to help the teenagers gain first-aid certificates and job skills.
If we put the time and effort into these kids at this age we're going to get them on the right track and prevent them acting out in the future
The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Capability, Performance and Youth Command Joe Cassar said the Fit For Work program was rolled out in metropolitan areas over the last couple of years, with a refinement process over the past 18 months to make it as effective as possible.
Assistant Commissioner Cassar said NSW police recognised the need to work closely with businesses to ensure the jobs were available when the students were ready to graduate.
He said a statewide partnership with Bunnings and Hungry Jacks to provide positions to participants had made Orange a perfect place to launch the program.
Assistant Commissioner Cassar said NSW police would like to eventually roll out Fit For Work to all regional towns, with previous programs seeing graduation at about 75 per cent.
"If we put the time and effort into these kids at this age we're going to get them on the right track and prevent them acting out in the future," he said.
Central West Police District Detective Inspector Bruce Grassick said having students work closely with the police gives them an opportunity to build positive relationships.
"It's really about breaking down the barriers that exist out there and encouraging familiarity in a controlled environment rather than an adverse one," he said.
All but one of the 12 pupils are from Canobolas high.
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