Subsea UK is to offer a series of scholarships to increase the number of highly qualified subsea engineers in the industry.
The industry body is investing in a scholarship programme which will enable successful candidates to study towards a post-graduate MSc in subsea engineering. Three full time and three part time scholarships are to be offered.
Eligible candidates, who will be invited to apply before the 15th July every year, will be graduate engineers normally living in the UK and who are supported by a Subsea UK member company.
Subsea UK chief executive, Alistair Birnie , said: “ We are delighted to be able to contribute to the industry by developing both young and mature engineers alike who will drive forward the next generation of subsea services and technology.
“ As a self-sustaining membership organisation, we are entirely funded by our members, generating revenue through subscriptions and our various initiatives and services. The success in delivering these services has allowed us to continually build a surplus which we are investing in the industry’s future.”
The Subsea UK scholarship will cover up to 80% of the total annual cost up to a maximum of £7,500 for a full-time course and £3,500 for a part-time one. As well as fees, the costs covered will include course material, books, travel, subsistence and accommodation where appropriate.
The post-graduate masters scholarships are intended to be either a one-year full-time programme or suitable part-time programme. Students applying must have received an offer of a place at any UK university. The scholarship will be paid to the sponsoring company and the student must undertake to continue in the employment of that company for a minimum of two years after completion of the degree programme.
Subsea UK champions the UK subsea supply chain, representing over 200 members. It acts as a focal point for all stakeholders to promote the sector and maximise its opportunities at home and abroad and provides a national forum for collaboration, diversification and technology development.
The last review of the subsea sector in 2007 revealed that the UK subsea sector comprised around 761 companies, supporting 50,000 jobs, generating £6 billion in revenues and exporting around 56% of those revenues.
[mappress] Source: subseauk ,May 18, 2011;