The program, Upskills, is aimed at re-engaging 12 to 25-year-olds back into the community.

Courses on offer include budgeting, anger management and building confidence.

Program worker Zakia Patel said she hoped the courses provided youth with a better understanding of real life.

"The stuff like budgeting, these guys are now at the age where they will have to start thinking about it," she said.

"They will be moving out of home soon.

"They will need to know about saving for electricity bills, groceries, and knowing how much is left over for next week.

"We want to make sure when they get to that age we've given them all the tools they need to look after themselves."

Jess Miller, 17, and Duane Miller, 19, no relation, are both taking part in a range of courses.

Duane said things had gone "downhill" in the nine months since he was let go from his mechanical apprenticeship.

He has actively been looking for work in the automotive industry, handing around resumes to prospective employers.

Jess had been in and out of home while looking for a job in the Queanbeyan region.

"This place actually keeps us out of trouble a lot," she said. Jess said she hoped the courses would enable her get a better job.

"It will look good on my resume and help me learn new things," she said.

"I want to get a job instead of going to school and I'm looking for anything at the moment really." Ms Patel said the flexible drop-in workshops, held at Queanbeyan Park, would be held every second Wednesday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm for a number of months.

"If we open it up in this environment it gives anyone the opportunity to come in and be part of it," she said. "Each workshop is separate. If they do all of them, they get a certificate for each one. It's tailored around being flexible because it is about them and for them."

For more information, call 6285 6341.