Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli today launched a new $2.4 million scholarship program to assist apprentices who need additional financial support.

Mr Piccoli said the NSW Government is offering 40 scholarships, each worth $15,000 over three years, for beginning apprentices who have demonstrated financial hardship in completing their qualification.

“Apprentices are vital to the economic growth and development of NSW. We recognise that some students need additional financial support to help them achieve their training qualification,” Mr Piccoli said.

“The 40 first year recipients will receive $5000 each year, for three years. To get the scholarship program going, we will also be offering scholarships to 40 second year and 40 third year apprentices, worth $5000 for each year of study remaining.

“In total 120 new scholarships will be awarded this year, at a total value of $600,000.

“The scholarships are designed to assist those apprentices who face significant challenges in completing their qualification, particularly those students with a disability, Aboriginal apprentices and women in non-traditional trades.

“The scholarships are named in honour of the NSW Apprenticeships Ambassador, Bert Evans AO, who has spent a lifetime supporting vocational education and training and apprentices in NSW.

“These scholarships are in addition to the existing Country Apprentice Scholarships program, which supports up to 30 students each year to cover the additional costs that are faced by apprentices in rural and regional NSW.

“The Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships and the Country Apprentice Scholarships are designed to broaden the support provided to apprentices. We want to ensure that apprentices succeed in their training and gain the skills they need for a successful and rewarding career.”