Sheree Arrowsmith, Nathan Clarke, Avaleen Doble, Robert Lenton, Sarah Martin, Erin Orgo, Tom Ryan, Carl Stubberfield, Paul van der Linden, Noel Wheatley and Paul Wilkins have attended the program run by Community Success Pty Ltd.

The program is designed to build self-confidence and workplace skills which will assist the participants in finding work.

All 10 of the first group of participants in the program were placed in jobs upon their graduation last November.

Community Success managing director Ruth Moncrieff said: "Four months later, nine out of the 10 are still working and one is reviewing his choices."

The War Memorial Club is providing $180,000 sponsorship to the program for its first year, the largest sponsorship in the club's history.

The way the community looked after its young people was vital to the community's future, said Club general manager Peter Hale.

This was particularly so in helping local unemployed find jobs and establish a positive direction in their lives.

He said the club was proud to be associated with the program which offered "real hope and opportunity to young people".

Through the investment, made possible through poker machine tax changes, the club hopes to encourage others in the industry to sign up so that more young people can be helped.

The program includes a one-week stay at Challenge Ranch at Somersby.

The young people participate in a series of outdoor activities, such as rock climbing and abseiling.

The other two weeks of the program are spent at a training centre at Gosford.

They are helped in buying clothes and with their presentation.

The program includes a visit to the Ettalong club, where they tour the facilities, are introduced to management and are invited to vie for positions which may be available there.

For further information about the program, contact Ruth Moncrieff on 4322 0188.