With the Australian mining sector expecting renewed employment growth over the next five years* - of 2.4%, or 5,600 jobs - industry participants will reap the rewards.

This is even more the case for TAFE NSW Cobar student Stevie Templer-Long, who today won a Mining Electrical and Mining Mechanical Engineering Society (MEMMES) Scholarship valued at $2,000.

A technical society within Engineers Australia, MEMMES partnered with the Hunter TAFE Foundation to offer the scholarship to encourage further study for workers in the mining industry. Anyone who was enrolled in, or had recently completed an electrical or mechanical engineering trade qualification was eligible to apply. Four scholarships were provided in total, with the other recipients from Parkes, Newcastle and Muswellbrook.

MEMMES National Chair, Peter Whipp, said, “Due to the high calibre of applications this year, the selection committee decided to award four scholarships rather than the usual two. Last year, we had one winner from Orange and one from the Hunter Valley. MEMMES is excited to have doubled our donation in 2019 to $8,000.”

“Our goal is to encourage apprentices to further their education and go on to take leading industry roles, as the engineers of the future. Vital roles like these provide a significant contribution to the sector’s ongoing success.”

Hunter TAFE Foundation president Gary Webb said, “We are delighted to work with MEMMES to support and inspire mining industry participants into advancing their engineering studies. This generous donation will greatly assist four Australians to help realise their tremendous potential as opportunities in their sector pick up speed.”

An excited Stevie accepted the award at a special presentation in Dubbo today, and said, “I will use the scholarship funds to complete a Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology at TAFE NSW. This will not only provide me with hands-on knowledge and skills needed when diagnosing and repairing vehicles, it will also drive me to the future of environmentally friendly battery operated machinery.”

“This course will help me to achieve my career goals and set me up for an exciting future to be proud of. It’s one thing to believe in yourself but to have other people believe in you is a tremendous feeling,” Ms Templer-Long said.

“I feel very supported as a female working in a predominately male industry and inspired to keep achieving my goals.”

Established in 2000, the Hunter TAFE Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organisation working with business, education and community leaders committed to supporting education and training at TAFE NSW by helping students achieve their goals. In the 2018 financial year, the Foundation presented over $75,000 in awards and scholarships providing support and encouragement to students in their studies.

TAFE NSW is Australia’s largest training provider. Many of its courses can also be studied online, when and where it suits students, via TAFE Digital. Visit www.tafensw.com.au or call 131 601 to explore many exciting semester two courses which are available for enrolment now.

*Labour Market Information Portal

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media Officer, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515.