Twenty-two Woonona High School students have graduated from a NSW Rural Fire Service cadets program.

The program ran throughout the school term on Wednesday afternoons at the northern suburbs school.

RFS Illawarra Superintendent Richard Cotterill said this is the first time the school cadet program ran at Woonona High School.

"It’s encouraging to see these students engaging in the program and they have all exhibited a high level of commitment," he said.

"I believe the cadet program will benefit not only the Rural Fire Service but also the students as they learn and apply skills and attitudes that they can use in the future"

The program provides students with the opportunity to learn practical life skills, leadership and teamwork skills, fire awareness, understanding of fire science and accident prevention in the workplace.