It is a shocking statistic — but only around half of Indigenous students in New South Wales go on to complete their Higher School Certificate (HSC).

But now the NRL is helping educators close the gap — supporting a program called School to Work.

The initiative also offers real world training and work opportunities on top of personal support and it is achieving great results.

Kristian Heffernan says its very rewarding to see what young people get out of the School to Work program. ( ABC News )

Kristian Heffernan heads up the program and is also the youngest son of rugby league immortal Arthur Beetson.

"When you sit back and watch how they've grown, from when they first come into the program, like any young adult it's a tough journey, but rewarding," he said.

"Now we're seeing them graduate university and get their apprenticeships, that's what drives everyone involved."

He said it was a project his father would have been proud of.

"For Dad when he was alive, to be involved in the community and rugby league were two of his greatest passions," he said.

"So for me to get to combine them to help close the gap and help our community, I'm not sure he'd [Arthur Beetson] have any words that would be able to express how proud he is of the game and the community for being involved."

'It's something I would have loved to have': George Rose

The School to Work program has been running for five years and was started when the Bulldogs, Eels, Panthers, and West Tigers joined forces with the Federal Government to address education challenges facing students in Western Sydney.

Former NRL player George Rose with students taking part in a program designed to encourage Indigenous students to complete their HSC. ( ABC News )

Recently retired NRL player George Rose is one of the program's mentors.

"I've done a lot of work with the NRL over the years, but I think this program is outstanding and it's something I would have loved to have while I was transitioning from school to life after high school," he said.

"We don't force anyone to come into it, so the students who do sign up are students who want to make something of themselves and just need a bit of help to get there."

The program is aimed at students in years 10, 11 and 12 — a time when many Indigenous students drop out of school.

The latest statistics show that last year, 58 per cent of Indigenous students attained their HSC.

Majority of students in program complete HSC

But of the nearly 400 students who have taken part in this program so far, 94 per cent have completed their HSC.

Students Blake Griffith and Jake Gifford are working at one of Australia's largest companies as part of the program.

Blake Griffith says working for Qantas has been a great experience. ( ABC News )

The year 11 students are working as trainee baggage handlers with Qantas, gaining work skills while finishing school.

"Working at Qantas is great, not many people get to work with them and us as 16-year-olds getting to work with them, it's just very exciting," Jake Gifford said.

"It's crazy, it's nothing you'd have imagined," Blake Griffith added.

"It's a lot different to what I thought it would be and you get real close to the planes.

"The amount of opportunities you get and they [School to Work] offer you, it's just amazing.

"It doesn't matter what path you want to take there's so much support."

Another student taking new steps is Montana Wink.

The 18-year-old from Western Sydney was selectively mute for 12 years. It is a complex childhood anxiety disorder, which left her unable to communicate.

"I was a bit of a rough one," she said.

"Going through primary school I didn't talk at all, even at high school.

"I actually learned sign language, then in year 10 I started to talk and now I'm here."

The aspiring veterinarian is now thriving at the University of Western Sydney.

And she can not stop talking about the program that helped changed her life.

"It's pretty magical, it's stuff we don't know about," she said. "We don't know all the opportunities that exist so it's great to have doors opened up."

NRL clubs supporting the initiative expected to grow

Currently 10 NRL clubs support the School to Work initiative, but Mr Heffernan said that was expected to grow as the program expanded.

"We're just about to hopefully double our numbers, so hopefully between 150-200 schools so when you talk about students that's an incredible amount," he said.

And he hopes other sports get onside.

"I'd love to see this drift into other codes.

"Sport for the Indigenous community is such a powerful mover, we're connected naturally to sport. So if we can use the power of sport to help close that gap then I think it falls on other sporting codes to get involved."

Round 10 of the NRL is the sports dedicated Indigenous Round from May 12 to 16.