Nine senior high school students from the Hunter Valley are about to kick-start their careers in the mining industry, after being awarded NSW Mining Scholarships this year.
The students are part of a group of 26 New South Wales high school students in the scholarship program this year
NSW Mining Scholarship recipients receive incentives of $500 for successfully completing Year 11 and $1,000 for Year 12.
A further $2,000 is granted to those who successfully complete their first year in an undergraduate minerals related course at a NSW university within 12 months of completing high school.
Fifty scholarships have been awarded to students in the Hunter since 2010, with 32 of these students currently participating in the scholarship programme.
NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said that mining offers a diverse range of employment opportunities including heavy machinery operation, information technology, construction, environmental science, mechanical and civil engineering, surveying, geology, and health and safety.
“These scholarships provide financial support for young people looking for a career in the NSW mining industry, and also helps ensure our industry can meet its skills needs into the future,” Galilee said.
“As well as receiving financial help, successful applicants will engage in mining related activities and have contact with the industry including sponsoring companies as well as universities.”
The scholarships are sponsored by Hunter based mining companies, including BHP Billiton NSW Energy Coal, Bloomfield Collieries, Peabody Energy Australia, and Thiess – Mount Owen.