The academy, based at the Cromwell branch of Otago Polytechnic, works in partnership with six high schools to provide practical training for senior pupils to set them up for careers in fields such as carpentry, agriculture and automotive trades.
Academy co-ordinator Raewyn Paviour said they were able to offer 36 fully government-funded places this year with some of those pupils already obtaining apprenticeships in their chosen fields.
Next year, they will offer 70 places.
Cromwell College principal Mason Stretch said the news was great, and though he thought they might not be able to fill all those 70 places straight away, he thought it was good "future-proofing".
He said there had always been a need for schools to diversify and offer pupils practical courses but in a rural area that was difficult and costly.
Pupils of Maniototo and Roxburgh area schools, Dunstan and Wakatipu high schools and Mount Aspiring College travel to Cromwell each Friday to attend the courses, with travel costs fully funded.
Mr Stretch said about six pupils from his school also attended the academy.
Academy carpentry tutor Mark Smith said pupils came into the courses with a varied range of skills and left with a sound knowledge of the industry and using associated tools.
He said it was rewarding to see the change in attitude and thought processes of the pupils, from their not knowing much about the field, to being able to make something and take pride in their work.
This year, pupils built saw horses and chairs, and then collaborated to construct a large fruit stall.
Pupils must have obtained level one NCEA numeracy and literacy credits and are expected to keep up with their normal schooling.
While on their chosen course, they earn NCEA credits.
Trades academies were set up around the country as part of a government initiative to keep pupils engaged in education while helping prepare them for the workforce.
