TWENTY new scholarships have been announced as part of the second phase of the Computing and Engineering Scholarship Programme (CESP).
There will be 10 scholarships in the computing sector and 10 in the engineering.
The four year scholarships will be employer-led and available in early 2016 to undergraduate students enrolled for study at Queen’s or Ulster University in the area of Computing or Engineering.
Launching the second phase, Minister for Employment and Learning, Stephen Farry, said: “I am delighted to be able to offer a further 20 employer-led scholarships working with employers in the computing and engineering sector.
“It is imperative we continue to encourage young people to study subjects in Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering (STEM) and the CESP is one of the initiatives developed to encourage students into these areas.
“CESP is a direct output of the ongoing actions of the two working groups I chair in ICT and Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Services.
“I want to create partnerships between my department and employers to drive the growth of our economy.
This can be achieved by ensuring employers are provided with the skilled workers they require, now and in the future.”
CESP was launched in autumn 2014 and involved 13 employers who offered 15 scholarships.
The Minister continued: “As well as financial support from my Department, the benefits to an employer can be many and varied, and allow employers a route to harness fresh new talent and to ensure your business is equipped with the skills it needs for the future.
“Feedback from employers in the first tranche highlighted many examples of students who had increased company competitiveness, productivity and made a highly valuable contribution to the business during their scholarship.
I particularly welcome the involvement from small and medium size enterprises and further information on how employers can get involved is available at: https://www.delni.gov.uk/ publications/cesp or by calling 028 9090 5381.”
The closing date for applications from employers is Friday, December 4.