Young people are being encouraged to 'Rise Up' under a police initiative, but for these students, that phrase takes on a whole new meaning.
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A group of Oxley High School pupils head to Tamworth's bouldering gym on Thursdays to tackle climbing up different walls.
The activity is part of a program run through the PCYC called 'Fit for Change'.
"[Bouldering] is about teamwork, problem solving, overcoming challenges, and we thought it was all very relevant to trying to develop young people's skills," Senior Constable Andrena Sandison said.
The program runs for the school term and aims to give students looking to leave school the skills and connections to find employment.
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"We look at mixing it between activities, educational speakers and it's got a job ready element as well ... they do resume skills, interviewing skills and they do their first aid," Senior Constable Sandison said.
The program comes under the 'Rise Up' strategy which was introduced by the NSW government and Police Commissioner in 2018 to connect disengaged youth with mentoring and employment opportunities.
Although the program has partners like Hungry Jacks and Baiada, some students have other ideas.
Will John is in year 10 at Oxley High School and has done two weeks of 'Fit for Change'.
"I think it's really awesome how they bring us kids in and give us a go."
- Will John
He said he is "100 per cent keen" to go out and become an electrician and learn how to make a resume.
But you can't beat bouldering.
"I love how all of us boys get to come together and some of us might have issues ... but this gets us all together and we have a mad time here," he said.
"All of us boys can be better at what we do and talk to eachother better and have a better relationship with the community and be more social.
"We get ... a better relationship with the police which is really good," Will said.
"I think it's really awesome how they bring us kids in and give us a go."
The 'Fit for Change' program in Tamworth has been funded by the Northern Inland Credit Union.
"It's no cost to the participant so it's all about making ... the training available for people at no cost and trying to link them with employment," Senior Constable Sandison said.
