WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- A new state program that pays tuition for high school students who take technical training is being credited with increasing the number of students at Wichita Area Technical College by 25 percent this year.

The Kansas Board of Regents census says the school has 2,652 full- and part-time students, an increase from 541 from last fall.

Sheree Utash, the college's vice president for academic affairs, says the new program pushed by Gov. Sam Brownback is the main reason for the enrollment increase. She says 455 students from Wichita-area schools are taking classes that lead to certifications in such areas as nursing or aircraft construction.

The Wichita Eagle reports (http://bit.ly/UDveaF ) Utash also credits new programs at the school, such as in sheet-metal certification and robotics maintenance.

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Information from: The Wichita Eagle, http://www.kansas.com