Stratford Coal's Education Support Fund continues its ongoing commitment to fund the next generation of young apprentices and tertiary students in the Gloucester region with applications closing soon.
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The aim of the fund is to assist local students with formal education and training and help provide a pathway towards future employment.
Each year, the fund has an allocation for:
- Tertiary Assistance Scholarships;
- TAFE Course and School-based Apprenticeships/Traineeships and
- Local Business subsidies for Apprenticeships/Traineeships.
The program's funding is determined by the number of employees at the Stratford and Duralie mines.
In 2021, $43,000 has been allocated to the program to help support students and businesses, an increase from the $30,000 made available in 2020.
The formal application process set to close on Saturday, January 30.
Fund committee chairman John Walton said that Stratford Coal has contributed more than $750,000 to program since the commencement of mining in 1995 in the Gloucester basin.
"During that time, we are pleased to announce the funding has made a genuine difference to the lives of 180 tertiary students 110 apprentices and 55 businesses, as we have worked together to encourage the trades people of the future," Mr Walton said.
Further to the education program, the committee has also provided another $60,000 to local schools to be used across a variety of local support services.
To be eligible, students must have completed at least six years schooling in the Gloucester basin, spanning from Booral to Barrington.
Future funding will be provided by the continuation of mining at Yancoal's Stratford Coal Mine.
Applications for 2021 funding will close on January 30 and are available from MidCoast Council administration office in Gloucester and Stroud.
Late applications will not be accepted.
