Dragons celebrate School to Work program success

The Dragons recently hosted participants from the NRL's School to Work program at WIN Stadium.

Blake Hart (Kanahooka High), Taiya Cocksedge (Corrimal High), Kobi Vassallo (Kiama High) and Molly O'Rouke (Five Islands Secondary College, Port Kembla) were all on hand as the squad prepared for Saturday's showdown against Canberra.

The School to Work program was developed by the NRL in response to research highlighting that Indigenous youth who had not found an employment or training pathway six months after leaving school, had a significantly higher chance of being long term unemployed.

The program is funded and supported by the Australian Federal Government as well as NRL clubs and has been operational since 2012 utilising the positive profile of rugby league to support and encourage Year 11 and 12 Indigenous students to achieve their HSC and prepares them as they transition from school to employment or further education.

During the visit, the students had the opportunity to watch the side train before meeting several of the club's stars.

In May, Steelers Club played host to an NRL School to Work Day with students from across the region coming in as they begin planning for life after school.

First Nations students in Year 11 and 12 came in for the careers day which was run a little differently after feedback from previous years with students moving around to 14 different stations across the day learning about different career paths and the potential benefits of pursuing careers in different areas.