A jump in demand for careers in the mining industry has led to an increase in the number of industry scholarships offered to students from the region.
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A careers event hosted by the NSW Minerals Council, BHP Billiton and Peabody Energy Australia in Wollongong this week attracted a large number of students considering jobs in mining and wanting to discuss options.
More than 100 students from years 10 to 12, along with their teachers and families received information and advice on mining careers from companies.
NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee said the event was designed to highlight employment opportunities and the wide range of roles for local young people, across the Illawarra and beyond.
"We're also here to recognise the 16 local students awarded industry-funded NSW Mining Scholarships," Mr Galilee said.
"This year, we will support a record 82 students across the state to study a minerals-related degree or course comprising both new and existing students in the rolling three-year program," he said.
"Participants receive $500 in Year 11, $1000 in Year 12 and a further $2000 in sponsorship if they complete their first year of a minerals related tertiary course.
"Plus, the students are matched with a 'mentor' from a local company, providing valuable contact with the industry.
"Diverse roles from science, geology and engineering, to a variety of trades and apprenticeships, are all available to hard-working and enthusiastic young people, and women in particular are encouraged to give mining a go."
The 2013 Illawarra scholarship recipients included Robert Spear, Savannah Reali, Hamish Paine, Mandy Li, Aaron Canham, Roger Heffernan, Oscar Sargeson, Alex Adams, Jessica Brisbane, Nicholas Talese, Sam Formosa, Thomas Campbell, Rebecca McFarlane and Sheridan Brown.
The presentation coincided with a recent report on training and education activity in the minerals sector across Australia that showed that apprentices and trainees made up around 5 per cent of the workforce of total mining, and female apprentices and trainees comprised around 15 per cent of those.
"Over 7000 people are directly employed in mining across the Illawarra and South East," Mr Galilee said.
Pictured: NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee, third right front row, with 12 of the 16 students awarded scholarships this week from high schools throughout the region. Photo: GREG ELLIS
