A Telford course introducing senior secondary school pupils to farm industry training is expanding, as the institution provides an option for those losing touch with their schooling.
Every Friday, pupils from Gore High School and St Peter's College, in Gore, Blue Mountain College, in Tapanui, Fiordland College, in Te Anau and South Otago High School, in Balclutha make the trip to Telford.
For some - Fiordland in particular - that means an early start.
Telford project manager Andrew Thompson said the group of schools had come together to look at alternative programmes for senior pupils.
The course was in its second year and the pupils were working towards an introductory skills qualification for a national certificate in agriculture.
The idea was to start a relationship with the students that could continue through courses such as a full certificate in agriculture, then, perhaps, a course at Lincoln University.
The qualification is designed to give year 12 pupils basic living and agricultural skills for employment in the rural sector.
It includes the skills needed for everything from livestock grazing and animal welfare to safe operation of agricultural vehicles and hazard control in dairy sheds.
''It's like taking them from cabin boy to captain,'' Mr Thompson said.
And there was ''definitely a market out there'' for skilled workers.
''It's been very, very successful.''
That success included the fact no-one from the course had become unemployed on leaving school, and the behaviour of some who were still at school but doing the course had changed for the better.
''They may have kids that have lost interest in the secondary environment, but they stay to come here,'' Mr Thompson said.
''The kids are feeling good about what they're doing.''
Last year, there were 12 in the government-funded course; this year, there were 17, and Mr Thompson said principals from other schools in the region were being invited to get their pupils involved.
They included schools within travelling distance, including Tokomairiro High School, in Milton and Catlins Area School, in Owaka.
