- Over half a million pounds invested in Masters Students -
ScottishPower is calling for UK graduates to join its pioneering scholarship programme set up to help develop industry leaders of the future.
The Fundación IBERDROLA, the charitable arm of ScottishPower’s parent company, has launched a new round of research grants and scholarships for the 2013/2014 academic year. Online applications will open today (Wednesday 22 January) and close on 28 February 2013.
Since starting in 2010, the Organisation has invested over £600,000 to help more than 30 students achieve Masters qualifications in energy and environmental related courses.
The 13 new scholarships will cover full enrolment costs and provide a monthly living allowance of £1,200 for students, who can choose courses in renewable energies, sustainable energy systems, environment and biodiversity, clean coal technologies, emissions management, energy efficiency, energy storage, electric vehicles and smart grids.
Ann Loughrey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at ScottishPower, said: “The scholarship programme was set up because we are committed to addressing the need for a highly skilled workforce in the energy industry in the immediate and long-term future. Investing in skills and education now and encouraging emerging talent at the highest level is vitally important in the development of the UK’s future industry leaders.”
Although students are not guaranteed to gain employment with ScottishPower after their Masters studies, one person who has successfully managed to secure a position with the company is Michael Green from Wirral near Liverpool.
Following a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cardiff University, Michael was accepted onto the scholarship programme allowing him the opportunity to study towards a Masters in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology at the Technical Institute of Energy in Valencia, Spain.
Two years on, Michael is now an Engineering Specialist in Low Carbon Technology for ScottishPower, based in Glasgow, and he believes the scholarship programme was key to enabling him to work at the forefront of renewable energy in the UK.
He said: “I wanted to be a Civil Engineer when I entered University, but renewable energy was also something that interested me and the opportunity to join the scholarship programme enabled me to take this further and led me into the industry full-time.
“The scholarship was a really intensive period in my life because I was working as a research engineer whilst studying for my Masters. But it was a nice feeling to know that someone was investing in me.”
Michael, through his role at ScottishPower, works alongside local Government to help develop strategic Energy Action Plans which will improve infrastructure and lower carbon emissions in some of Scotland’s major cities.
Scholarship places are available at the following universities in the UK: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Strathclyde, and Imperial College of London.
This year, the programme is being extended to include two colleges in the USA, Maine and Rochester. Application for those wishing to study in America is open until 15 February.
More details on all scholarship and research grant programmes can be found at: www.scottishpower.com/scholarships
For further information please contact Stuart Martin at Stripe Communications on 0131 561 8620 or email scottishpower@stripecommunications.com
About the Fundación IBERDROLA
The Fundación IBERDROLA, with Ignacio Galán as its Founding Trustee and Manuel Marín in the role of Chairman, focuses its activity in four main areas: training and research, energy sustainability and biodiversity, cooperation and solidarity, and cultural development in the countries where the IBERDROLA Group operates.
As part of this 2013 Scholarships and Research Grants Programme, the Fundación IBERDROLA has also launched a call for applications for Masters in Energy and Environment in the United States, for the 2013/2014 academic year.
As well as its scholarships and research grants programmes, the foundation is involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing people's quality of life in the territories where the IBERDROLA Group operates. In the field of Support for Biodiversity, the highlight is its Bird Migration Scheme (www.migraciondeaves.org); in the area of conserving the historical-artistic heritage, the foundation is involved in important projects such as the Atlantic Romanesque Plan (www.romanicoatlantico.org) and the Unique Building Lighting Programme; and, finally, in the field of supporting solidarity, mention should be made of the Energy for Solidarity social grants programme.