To address the skills shortage in Australia’s energy industry, Transgrid has awarded 20 scholarships under a $2 million program that aims to develop the next generation of engineers.
The first-year engineering students at Charles Sturt University have each received a $20,000 scholarship, with recipients from New South Wales regions including the Central West, Central Coast, Orana and Riverina, as well as Western Sydney and Victoria.
Transgrid Executive General Manager of Major Projects, Gordon Taylor, said, “Transgrid is delivering the transmission infrastructure identified as critical to enabling the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments’ clean energy vision.
“Over the next decade, we are investing $14 billion on a 2,500km energy superhighway including the EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West projects and we require hundreds of skilled personnel and world-class engineers.”
Mr Taylor said that the $2 million Engineering Scholarship Fund is supporting 100 students at the university’s Bathurst campus between 2023 and 2029 to expand the skilled workforce across the industry as the clean energy transition accelerates.
“We are delighted to support another 20 engineering students at Charles Sturt University this year who are joining the 17 recipients awarded scholarships in 2023. Each recipient receives $5,000 annually for four years to ease the financial burden and support them in their studies.”
Twin brothers Sam and Toby Wilson from Orange have each received a $20,000 scholarship to study a Bachelor of Technology (Civil)/Master of Engineering (Civil), with their passion for improving infrastructure in regional communities now driving their sibling rivalry.
Sam Wilson said, “We both had similar interests in science, maths and geography during school and civil engineering kind of fit all that criteria so it was kind of a no brainer really to come and study engineering. Mum and Dad were pretty stoked.
“The Transgrid scholarship’s going to help with a lot of the cost of travel since we are both driving here from Orange. It allows me not to work at my part time job as much so I can focus all my energy on my studies.”
Toby Wilson said, “Having my brother with me makes obviously study a bit easier because I can just ask him about topics that we do that I might be struggling with and we’ll just work through the topics together.”
Sam Wilson said, “Now we’re on the same level doing the same thing we kind of help each other now so we’ve got each other’s back to support.
“I was looking into opening a business with Toby in the future once we build our skills up. That’s one of the dreams and aspirations of mine and his as well.”
Scholarship recipient from Wagga Wagga, Ashlee Grentell, has also received a scholarship to support her studies for a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Honours).
“I have always loved maths and helping the community and engineering has very much brought those two loves together,” Ms Grentell said.
“The Transgrid scholarship has allowed us to make the cost more affordable for all of us. It helps me with accommodation and with travelling here from home so I still have a connection with family. It’s really helped me a lot because I have extra money to be able to still have a life to live.”
Charles Sturt University Acting Director, Advancement, Justin Williams, thanked Transgrid for its ongoing support, which is providing momentum in attracting new engineers to regional New South Wales.
“The engineering school at Bathurst is a fairly fledgling program. It’s been around for just a handful of years, and we’ve seen just one cohort of graduates thus far,” Mr Williams said.
“In these early years the engineering scholarship program adds that level of gravitas and backing that a partner of Transgrid’s scale really brings.
“It’s also a massive boon for our emerging students from regional areas to have that kind of support as they embark on a new adventure of learning about how to create the world through engineering.”
Featured image: Transgrid scholarship recipients Sam and Toby Wilson. Image credit: Transgrid.
