The Palaszczuk Government will provide more Queenslanders with the opportunity to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at TAFE through a new Advance Queensland scholarship program.
State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan, said the $350,000 Advance Queensland – TAFE Queensland Pathways Scholarships were now open for applications.
Mr Ryan said the scholarships were a great way for Queenslanders to gain higher level vocational education qualifications to equip them for a career in science and technology.
“The program is designed to encourage students to complete both a TAFE Queensland qualification and university study in STEM-related careers, including nursing, engineering, science and technology,” Mr Ryan said.
“These new Advance Queensland scholarships will improve opportunities across demographic groups and help students from all walks of life to start their STEM-related career and prepare themselves for the jobs of the future.”
Mr Ryan said 70 Advance Queensland-funded scholarships will be offered over two years to help students gain the skills required to maximise their chance of employment or enable them to progress to further study.
“It’s a great opportunity to enhance their studies with financial support of $5,000 in the first year and a potential further top-up of $5,000 if they continue on to university,” Mr Ryan said.
TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer Jodi Schmidt said these scholarships will deepen TAFE Queensland’s existing successful scholarship program, which to date has awarded more than 130 scholarships.
“We know the power vocational education has to change people’s lives and help them achieve extraordinary things – something TAFE Queensland, the state’s largest and most trusted vocational education and training provider, has been doing for more than 130 years,” Ms Schmidt said.
“Whether you’re leaving school this year, considering a career change or just need a boost, these scholarships will provide an opportunity for Queenslanders everywhere to develop their skills and gain a qualification to secure jobs in some of our largest and fastest growing industries.”
Applications for the scholarships to support study at TAFE Queensland in semester one, 2018 open on 17 July 2017 and close on 31 August 2017.
Advance Queensland is the Palaszczuk Government’s $420 million whole-of-government initiative designed to supercharge the economy and create jobs through innovation.
For more information, visit the Advance Queensland website at www.advance.qld.gov.au/researchers or www.scholarships.tafeqld.edu.au.
