The program, which will run out of the school’s new Enterprise Centre, aims to give year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to complete their HSC studies and work part-time.

The program will offer vocational courses not previously available in Kempsey such as construction and primary industries, and will work on a flexible timetable that suits the students and their employers.

Previously students have had to travel away to complete such studies, with some employers reluctant to take them on because of the lack of flexibility in their timetables.

Coordinator Kevin Sinclair said the aim of the program was the retention of students who would otherwise leave school to pursue employment or other forms of education before completing their HSC studies.

The introduction of the program coincides with the State Government’s declaration that it would raise the school leaving age to 17 in 2010.

Students in NSW will be required to remain at school until the end of year 10 and, after completing year 10, they will be required to remain in some form of education, training or employment until they turn 17.

Kempsey High principal Mick Eller said the program had begun in July and already had nine students enrolled.

“We’ve been talking to employees about what they want and one of they key things is flexibility from the school,” he said.

“And we’re going to bend over backwards to ensure we’re flexible. In fact it’s vital we do that.”

Part of being flexible will mean students may attend classes on just two or three days a week.

The learning environment will be dramatically different with just one or two teachers supervising students, rather than the standard five or six they would otherwise have.

Students can also study part-time, taking up to five years to complete their HSC.

“A student who graduates will have higher level employability skills than others who haven’t been through the program,” Mr Eller said.

“Things like the ability to work with workmates, take on the role of the employee, presentation, communication skills and teamwork and we want to do that in a practical way that will enthuse all the kids.”

The program will operate out of the school’s yet to open Enterprise Centre, or ‘The Shed’, as it is known by the students.

Kempsey High has spent five years fundraising to build the centre, while the Federal Government has lent some support through its Building the Education Revolution program.