Hot demand for youth scholarships

Media Release

Friday, 4 April 2014

Hot demand for youth scholarships

Over 70 keen young learners were this week awarded scholarship certificates for one year of full-time fee free study at UCOL.

UCOL has available 120 Government funded Youth Guarantee places for 16 to 19 year olds to study Levels 1 to 3 programmes in 2014, over 80% more than available last year.

Seventy six students have now commenced study at the Palmerston North campus across 16 programmes, and more scholarships will be awarded later in the year for study starting in Semester 2.

Over 120 Youth Guarantee scholarship applications were received for Semester 1 study at UCOL in Palmerston North.

UCOL Youth Guarantee Coordinator Save Seruvatu says this year the institution has worked hard to build relationships with youth services that assist young people in creating plans for the future, such as Start.

“We all have a passion for young people so there’s no point working in isolation. We brief services like Start on our scholarship eligibility criteria, they refer young people to us, and we keep them informed of outcomes and work with them if any issues arise.

“Schools are also very active now in coming forward with lists of students they feel would be appropriate for certain programmes.”

Seventeen year old Reegan Kreegher, who completed a National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Level 2 through the U-Skills programme while at Manawatu College last year, received a scholarship this week to study the National Certificate in Fitting, Welding and Machining Level 3.

He says he is enjoying the full-time study so far. “It’s quite cruisey but also challenging. There are high standards for work, but the tutors are really clued-up and know exactly what they’re doing.”

Among the 76 students awarded scholarships to study at UCOL’s Palmerston North campus were individuals from other centres, including Auckland, Taranaki and Blenheim.

UCOL Deputy Chief Executive Academic Bonnie Dewart says the students’ scholarship certificates represent the process of transition. “Some students haven’t had much time at secondary school but they are seeking this opportunity to make a positive change in their life.

“It’s pleasing to be able to support students in this way to achieve their full potential.”

Of the 66 students awarded Youth Guarantee scholarships last year, 24 are now working, eight have started apprenticeships, and 27 moved on to further study in areas such as Nursing, Midwifery, Vet Nursing, Visual Imagery and Engineering.

ENDS

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