Gloucester students and business owners have once again been provided financial support for furthering education.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Successful applicants of the Stratford Coal's 2019 Education Support Program gathered for a presentation night at the Bucketts Way Motel on Wednesday March 13.
It's the 22nd year the program has helped Gloucester students kick start their pathway toward a career after high school and Gloucester businesses take on young workers. Students can apply for funds to help with the cost involved in tertiary education, whether it be university or TAFE, for things like books and transport, while local businesses can apply for funds to help bring aboard an apprentice.
Initially the program was only open for Gloucester High School students but was extended to include students who have attended school in the Gloucester basin for a minimum of six years.
In 2019, $30,000 funding has been allocated to help support local students and businesses with their further education and training costs.
The recipients are:
Apprenticeship/Traineeship Subsidies: Emmiline Moulds (travel), Hayden Weismantel (motor mechanic), Abbie Windred (nursing) and Leah Yarnold (veterinary nursing).
Tertiary Education: Chloe Farley (Nursing UON), Amber Franks (Education Primary UON), Elijah Snow (Biomedical Science UOA) and Mia Bowden (Medical Science UON).
Business Training Subsidies: Campbell Engineering, Helloworld Travel Gloucester, Greg Forbes Automotive, Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group
"Since the start of mining in 1995, Stratford Coal has contributed more than $730,000 to locally based education and training initiatives via the Education Support Program," program committee chairman, John Walton said.
"During that time, we are pleased to announce the funding has made a genuine difference to the lives of 198 tertiary students, 120 apprentices and 77 businesses, as we have worked together to encourage the trades people of the future."
Further to the Education Program, the committee has also provided another $58,000 to local schools to be used across a variety of local support services.
With the program's funding determined by the number of employees at the Stratford and Duralie operations, the recent resumption of coal extraction activities at the Stratford site means the 2020 allocation will see an increase.
Applications for 2020 will open on November 29 and are available from the MidCoast Council's Gloucester and Stroud administration offices and Gloucester High School.