The first 24 students from Western Bay of Plenty secondary schools, who receive an Acorn scholarship, have graduated from the ‘Skills for Success – Dale Carnegie Course'.

Graduating students on Friday, July 15.

Dale Carnegie Bay of Plenty/Waikato senior trainer Andrea Shaw says the course was about developing important skills.

'The three day course focused on building essential skills for life and the workforce, such as developing self-confidence, communication, people skills, leadership and managing stress and worry,” says Andrea.

A further 48 students over the next two years will receive scholarships made possible through the generosity of Acorn Foundation donors Roy and Mary McGowan.

Andrea says this opportunity is unique to the Bay and made possible through the collaboration of the Acorn Foundation, Dale Carnegie Training BOP/Waikato and Priority One's Instep Programme.