Students score Defence Force boost

Five South West students are among a record 69 WA students to be awarded Defence Technical Scholarships, offering high school students the chance to expand their career opportunities.

To be eligible for the scholarships, students needed to be studying maths and a technical trade-related subject while demonstrating an interest in joining the Australian Defence Force at the end of their schooling.

Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School Year 12 students Ryan Walker, Murray Buller and Jacob Burt.

The students from Eaton Community College, Australind Senior High School and Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School will receive $2000 for Year 11 students and $3000 for Year 12 students.

Thrilled to have been selected, Year 12 BCGS student Jacob Burt said the scholarship would look good on his resume and he had learned a lot about the range of defence jobs to achieve it.

‘‘I think it’s good to encourage you to find out about the kind of information about the defence forces and jobs available,’’ the 16-year-old said.

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon said the program was the only large scale initiative which targeted students specifically wishing to pursue a trade.

‘‘The Defence Technical Scholarship program aims to address the national shortage of technical trade qualified people within theAustralian workforce while demonstrating Defence’s commitment to compete for its fair share of them,’’ Mr Snowdon said.