Chance for a leg up into a future in primary industries

18th January 2011
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) today encouraged new university students with an eye to a future in the paddock to consider applying for a substantial studentship to support them through their studies.
Higher education students have until January 28 to apply for financial assistance of up to $5000 a year under theInvesting in Youth Undergraduate Studentship Program.
It is unashamedly aimed at encouraging more young people to work in Australia’s rural sector. As well they can get tailored support from professional mentors. The program also offers relevant work placements in industry.
“The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) established the program to help address the serious shortage of students studying primary industry courses at Australia’s universities, which has resulted in significant skill shortages across rural Australia,” TFGA chief executive Jan Davis said today.
“If we are to increase the productivity and profitability of Australia’s primary industries, we have to have more graduates in areas such as research, teaching, agribusiness, farming, business and technical consultancy, and natural resource management,” she said.
The studentships provide support to undergraduate students for up to four years.
Applicants have to be Australian citizens or permanent residents and have completed Year 12 or the equivalent within the previous two years and be entering university for the first time.
They have to be enrolling in a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Bachelor of Agricultural Economics, Bachelor of Natural Resource Management, Bachelor of Veterinary Science (or equivalent) at an Australian university.
Contact:
RIRDC 6271 4100
Applications can be downloaded from:
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/national-rural-issues/dynamic-rural-communities/investing-in-youth-studentship-program/investing-in-youth-studentship-program_home.cfm/
TFGA