Two local TAFE NSW students are the winners of Mining Electrical and Mining Mechanical Engineering Society (MEMMES) Scholarships.

The deserving recipients of the $2000 scholarships were Krystal Hickey from Paxton, a TAFE NSW Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology student, and Oliver Davidson from Mount Hutton, a TAFE NSW Certificate III in Electrotechnology student.

A technical society within Engineers Australia, MEMMES partnered with the Hunter TAFE Foundation to offer the scholarships 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 western NSW.

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. 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.”

Krystal plans on using her scholarship money to continue her learning in the fourth year of her apprenticeship by applying for an auto electrics course while Oliver plans on enrolling in the Diploma of Electrical Engineering course to allow him to progress his career in the industry and work as an electrical engineer.