Unitywater Executive Manager People, Culture, and Safety Kenan Hibberd said the three scholarships were a key support mechanism for successful recipients to kick-start their careers and for the Sunshine Coast to secure its future workforce.
“At Unitywater, we recognise the importance of investing in our people from the outset, which is why these scholarships are designed to support and develop emerging talent for both Unitywater and the wider community,” Mr Hibberd said.
“By connecting with these students early in their learning and career, we share the opportunity to genuinely engage, listen and guide them - setting them up for an incredible working life in the future.”
Three scholarships are available, each providing $10,000 in support over a two or three-year period, paid in instalments per semester. These are:
- The Bright Future in Engineering Scholarship for students undertaking a Bachelor of Civil or Mechanical Engineering degree. Students must have completed at least one to two years of study.
- The Fiona Waterhouse Women in STEM Scholarship for female students studying a Bachelor of Computer Science, ICT or Bachelor degree within the School of Science and Engineering.
- The Bright Future for First Nations Students Scholarship for students who identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and are studying degrees in Business, ICT, Commerce, Science or Engineering.
Successful applicants also have the opportunity for paid work through Unitywater’s early career programs to gain practical experience in real-world scenarios that develop their skills beyond the classroom.
Jake Briggs, Principal Project Manager at Unitywater, received the Brighter Future Scholarship in 2014 and continued through to the Vacation Program and then the Graduate Development Program to begin his career.
“Earning a Unitywater scholarship while at university has been such an incredible help throughout my career. From the very beginning, I was able to learn from real-world experiences and see the real applications for what I was learning,” Mr Briggs said.
“That close learning and support has given me the opportunity to contribute to the award-winning Wamuran Irrigation Scheme project, and I’m so proud of that work and grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.”
For more information or to apply for a Unitywater scholarship at the University of the Sunshine Coast visit www.unitywater.com/about-us/careers/our-career-pathways.
