Current and aspiring apprentices experiencing financial and personal hardships can now apply to receive support to help them continue and complete their training through the Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships.
The scholarships financially support first-year apprentices who have a demonstrated aptitude for vocational education and training (VET).
Valued at $5,000 per year for up to three years, the scholarships support apprentices' studies by funding tools, learning resources, additional training courses and other education-related items.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said apprentices are the future backbones of the workforce and those facing hardship are getting a leg up to invest in their VET journey.
"By lowering the barriers to training and improving access to learning tools and resources, we can improve learner outcomes and apprenticeship completion rates in the state," Minister Whan said.
Established in 2014, the $2.25 million scholarship program supports 150 apprentices and target apprentices every year from a diverse range of cohorts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander apprentices, apprentices with a disability, women in non-traditional trades, mature-aged learners and apprentices from regional NSW.
For 2024 scholarship recipient, Maisen King, the support has meant more autonomy and less financial pressure.
The 17-year-old school-based apprentice from Claymore is completing his Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and has faced personal hardships growing up. He used to have to borrow a laptop from his school and relied on public Wi-Fi for an internet connection.
Through the scholarship, Maisen has been able to invest in power and hand tools for his first-year toolkit, work boots and pants, and put aside some money towards a car that will help him get to and from work and TAFE. The scholarship is also funding an unlimited phone plan to provide an internet connection for his education.
"Through the scholarship, I bought things for my first-year toolkit, including power and hand tools and have put away the remainder of the money for a car. The Bert Evans Scholarship has greatly eased the financial and subsequent psychological pressure that I am under," Mr King said.
"Getting to the workplace can be difficult as my dad isn't always able to take me, so I have to rely on the tradesmen I work with to come and pick me up. I've put aside some of the money to get a car which is essential as an electrician."
This is a great example of the practical difference a scholarship can make to young people in apprenticeships and traineeships.
To be eligible for a Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarship, applicants must be:
A first-year apprentice, including school-based apprentice, in an approved apprenticeship in NSW
Employed by an employer based in NSW
Experiencing financial hardship at the time of application
An Australian citizen or permanent resident.
The scholarships are named in honour of the late Mr Bert Evans AO who championed apprentices, skills development and vocational education and training across the state.
