Students from Wagga High School this week attended the two-day Farm Vehicle Safety Program at TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre in Wagga.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Agriculture Rob Harris said it was critical the foundations for on-farm safety were laid early.

"Quad bikes, trail bikes and ATVs are essential pieces of farm equipment and so it's essential young people are equipped to deal with the very real dangers they pose," Mr Harris said.

"Whether its mustering sheep, inspecting fences or doing a water run, these vehicles are part of living on a farm.

"Our communities have seen all too often the tragic results that can occur when something goes wrong on one of these vehicles."

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The students received training on both quad bikes and two-wheelers, and were also instructed on loading quad bikes on a trailer and securing loads to quad bikes.

The course, funded by the Department of Education, will be delivered to dozens of high schools across the region - and the state - over the coming months.

Quad bikes are the leading cause of death and injury on Australian farms and more than 40 children have died on quad bikes nationwide since 2000.

The course offers teens hands-on tuition aboard quad bikes, trail bikes and ATVs, allowing them to better identify hazards and build confidence on the vehicles.

Mr Harris said the "highly practical" course helped students earn credit towards a Certificate III in Agriculture.

Wagga High student William Evans, 16, was among the group this week and said it had helped build his confidence, knowledge and skills.

"It's been so useful because I was already starting to learn to drive a car and this has just made me more confidence and increased my awareness in a vehicle," William said.

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