Lightning Ridge Central School will be offering adult education opportunities in 2004.
About 30 interested community members attended an open forum held last Thursday evening.
In a recent school newsletter Central School principal Peter Partridge described the school's objective.
"We are seeking to encourage members of the community to enrol in our senior courses, particularly the Vocational Education courses."
Courses such as information technology (computers), metals and engineering, primary industries, business services and automotive are just some of the opportunities on offer.
Additionally TAFE is currently looking at possibility of offering an opal mining specific mining course through the school.
Lightning Ridge Central teacher and forum organiser Justine Reid said people seemed to be eager to get involved.
"We already have four people enrolled in information technology course and look to having a full metals and engineering class," she said.
"Some people are looking at enrolling just for the sake of learning. Others, because successful completion will result in a nationally recognised Certificate I or II, are looking to improve their qualifications.
"Adult job seekers are finding that a Certificate I or II can really boost their employment prospects," Ms Reid said.
Young people can also undertake these courses as part of a traineeship.
This allows students to stay at school under their own terms, hold down a job and still stay on track with their education.
This reduces number of students leaving school early because they don't see the point of working so hard in subjects that they feel have no relevance and that they see themselves as 'hopeless' at and so will fail.
"Year 12 students who select lots of vocational education subjects won't qualify for UAI," Ms Reid said about the mark required for entry into university.
"However, they will receive an HSC certificate upon successful completion."
According to Ms Reid, one of the factors that count against young job seekers is their lack of experience.
Vocational education courses counter that by providing school leavers with a history of practical experience before they enter the job market.
In Warialda, where vocational education courses have been offered for some time, every Year 12 to do a traineeship in conjunction with this course has ended up in full time employment.
The classes will not necessarily run during regular school hours. Some of the Central School teachers have volunteered to teach after hours. The staff will also be supplement by Western Institute of TAFE teachers with the added bonus of extending the available skills base.
As a final bonus, enrolments in these courses will bolster the school's student population.
With a highly mobile population Lightning Ridge Central has in the past been disadvantaged when a drop in student numbers has meant the loss of a teacher. The increased enrolments will help stabilise staff numbers and this will benefit the entire secondary school.
Enrolments for some subjects will be closing in two weeks so take the time to drop into the school office and put your name down.
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