A course that's proven life changing for a handful of young people on the dole is about to be expanded.

Photo: RNZ / Logan Church

In April, the Department of Conservation took on 10 young unemployed people with the aim of getting them ready for work.

Now most are employed full-time and the programme - a joint venture between DOC and the Ministry of Social Development - is set to grow.

Only a year ago, Siela De Luca was on the dole, and did not know what she was doing with her life.

But one day when she was in the WINZ office, her mum noticed an opportunity.

"She spotted the poster on wall and pointed it out to me and suggested the idea of working for DOC," she said.

"I've been on the benefit for a year and half prior to the course...I've just struggled growing up, trying to find my feet."

After a gruelling selection process, which involved marching around Quail Island, Siela was chosen for the course.

Siela and the other nine cadets worked for eight weeks building and setting traps, doing track maintenance, biodiversity work throughout Canterbury.

The team also did maintenance work at the historic gun emplacements at Godley Heads.

After the course, Ms De Luca was employed by DOC to work full-time at its Motukarara nursery, an opportunity she said was life changing.

"I've really evolved as a person, I've found something I'm passionate about, I've found self pride."

Jo Aldridge, from the Ministry of Social Development, said it cost government between $4000 and $5000 per participant for the programme to run.

But she said it is was well worth the investment in the long run, with seven out of 10 cadets now either employed or being interviewed for a job.

"It is an investment to bring these people closer to employment," she said.

"Think of that return in terms of the benefit that's not being paid and the long-term cost gain to Christchurch."

Andy Thompson, of the Department of Conservation, said the programme was a win-win for the organisation, with the department getting free labour and the cadets getting work experience.

"We got the equivalent of one full time ranger, they got training around first aid, Growsafe, a whole lot safety training and induction, river crossing courses [and] on the job training," he said.

Mr Thompson said the first trial run was so successful, three more programmes were in the pipeline.

"For me, from these four courses, that's the equivalent of four new staff."

He said he ultimately wanted to see the programme rolled out in other parts of New Zealand.