A head-start with Industry Scholarships

UoN's Industry Scholarship students say the work placement experience pays - in more ways than one!

An added-value experience

Industry Scholarships provides students with valuable income and facilitates real-world work experience over a sustained period of time. This creates an in-depth understanding of how the industry of their chosen profession operates and opens up future career opportunities. 

There are currently 140 scholars in the program and this number is set to increase during the 2013 intake. Students undertake 74 weeks work experience and receive scholarship money tax free. 

A real boost

In a recent exit survey conducted by Industry Scholarships, students said their scholarship opened new pathways and gave their career a real boost.

"The Industry Scholarship program has supported me at a university level as well as given me a two to three year head-start on my professional career", one final year Engineering student said.

A Bachelor of Communications (Media Production) student said the placement provided an enhanced learning experience.

"The work that was undertaken fit perfectly with what we were being taught in our course, which made me prepared.  It went hand in hand with my studies", they said.

Overwhelmingly, students commented positively on the support they received from the Industry Scholarship team and the feeling of community amongst the scholarship cohort.

Many also said the experience increased their interpersonal skills, in particular confidence and communication.

Employers gain immense benefit

Employers use the scholarships as a recruitment strategy that allows them to build relationships with students, while developing particular skills and attributes that fit their organisational culture.  This is seen as an important strategy for many industries, particularly those that have high employee turnover.

This strategy has paid off for organisations such as Hunter Water, which has retained 12 scholars as employees from the 13 who completed.

Abigroup, Ampcontrol, CSIRO and WorkCover are some industry partners who gain similar benefits by offering our students these wonderful opportunities.

Annual Dinner

Every year Industry Scholarships hold a dinner to recognise the achievements of our scholars and support our industry partners.  The 2012 dinner attracted 350 people!

Industry Scholarship is located in the refurbished IDC building, University Drive, Callaghan.
If you would like more information about Industry Scholarships, contact Andrew.Licata@newcastle.edu.au