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Learning emergency response skills and lessons for life, more than 60 high school students have graduated from NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Youth Internship Programs.
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The year 10 students spent the past eight weeks attending weekly training at NSW SES Units including in Warringah Pittwater, Shellharbour, Lismore, Griffith and Camden Haven.
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Testing their skills even further were 20 students who took part in a simulated search and rescue exercise at Warringah Pittwater NSW SES Unit last week.
Editor’s note: Photos from the Warringah Pittwater Youth Internship program are available here – https://spaces.hightail.com/space/NlXuLvqFfb
More than 60 high school students are graduating from NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Youth Internship Programs this school term, equipped with practical emergency response skills, newfound confidence and a passion for helping their communities.
The year 10 students have spent the past eight weeks attending weekly training at their local NSW SES Units including Warringah Pittwater, Shellharbour, Lismore, Griffith and Camden Haven.
Through hands-on demonstrations with experienced NSW SES volunteers, the students aged 15 and 16 years old have developed practical emergency response skills ranging from first aid, communication, teamwork and problem solving.
NSW SES Warringah Pittwater Unit Youth Internship Coordinator Michelle Puhl said the program gave students skills they can use in life beyond the classroom.
“The students have been taught a variety of practical and life skills, including how to communicate, work in teams, problem solve and build resilience,” she said.
“These are skills they can take with them into their everyday lives, whether that’s at school, at home or in the future workplace.”
More than 20 students put these skills to the test at Warringah Pittwater Unit last week, taking part in a simulated search and rescue exercise.
For 16-year-old Joshua Ryals, the program has not only taught him valuable skills but given him a greater sense of responsibility and purpose.
“I’ve especially enjoyed the first aid course because I’m out in the bush all the time mountain biking, and these skills are very transferable,” he said.
“If something does happen to another rider or bushwalker, I now know how I can help out.”
Josh had the opportunity to lead a team during the search and rescue exercise last week; an experience he said boosted his confidence.
“After what I’ve done throughout the program, I’ve been 100 percent inspired to join the SES!”
Ms Puhl said the program had given long-term volunteers an opportunity to step up, share knowledge and mentor the next generation of volunteers.
“The students are so engaged and excited every week that they come along. If this program is anything to go by, the future of emergency services is in safe hands,” she said.
The NSW SES Youth Internship Program is proving to be a valuable pathway into volunteering, with more than 40 school-aged participants signing up to join the NSW SES ranks fulltime since its launch in 2023.
For more information about the program, or to apply, contact your local NSW SES Unit or email [email protected]
Contact details:
Media enquiries: NSW SES Media on 1800 067 234 or [email protected]
