ENERGY INDUSTRY LAUNCHES NATIONAL BURSARY PROGRAM TO ATTRACT YOUNG STUDENTS

Mike Griffin
23rd July 2007, 5:20pm

The Australian Power Institute(API) is finalising arrangements to implement a national Power Engineering Bursary Program to encourage first year engineering students to consider a career in the energy industry as exciting and rewarding.

Chief Executive of API , Mike Griffin, advised that the Bursary Program would provide the following benefits to students:

• A cash contribution of $1000 in first year, $2000 in 2nd year and 3rd years and $3000 in final year (a total of $8000 over 4 years of study) whilst the students continued to study power engineering topics and projects.
• Preferential opportunities to undertake paid vacation employment with the members of API and not only be financially rewarded but also gain valuable insight into the working environment of the API energy industry member companies.
• The total financial benefit to a student of both the above is in the order of $30,000 over the 4 years of their degree.

First year engineering students in universities with significant power engineering subjects will be able to apply for these bursaries in July and August 2007 with the successful bursary applicants decided by November 2007. The bursaries will be presented at an Official Function held in each State, involving senior industry executives and politicians.

The API’s Mike Griffin said: “We are hoping to award more than 35 bursaries nationally by the end of this year and demonstrate to students that the energy industry is committed to supporting power engineering education and skills development. In 2007 first year engineering students in NSW,VIC,SA and WA will be able to apply for the bursaries. Students in Queensland will apply for bursaries through the established program of the Power Engineering Alliance, which is supported by API. We are also producing a power engineering promotion DVD/Video to explain how young power engineering graduates can make a difference to society through assisting in solutions to climate change and customer provision of energy services.”

A number of universities across Australia are working with API to administer and promote the Bursary Program to students, including The University of Technology Sydney, Curtin University and Victoria University.

Media contact: Mike Griffin-Chief Executive, Mobile 0419643795

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