The achievements of 15 local recipients of The Gallaher Trust Scholarship Schemes, set up to support disadvantaged young adults in the pursuit of further education, were celebrated at a reception hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE.
The first Scholarship Scheme was launched in 2021 in partnership with Northern Regional College (NRC) and The Gallaher Trust is now supporting an additional two scholarship schemes delivered by Supporting Communities and the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), representing a total investment to date of £160,000 by the Trust.
Speaking at the reception, Ian Paisley, Chair of The Gallaher Trust said: “I am delighted to welcome recipients and delivery partners of the Trust’s scholarship schemes to the Mayor’s Parlour. Today was an uplifting experience for all parties, including the students, and I congratulate them all for their commitment and hard work. It is incumbent on all of us to encourage and facilitate the younger generation, particularly those that are from a disadvantaged background. That is the purpose of The Gallaher Trust and it is a privilege to play our part in benefiting these students and the wider local economy and job market.”
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, adds: “I was thrilled to welcome these amazing students to my Parlour to hear all about their excellent work to date and their exciting plans for the future.
“One of Council’s key priorities is jobs and skills, and we are committed to working with local partners, employers, parents and young people to ensure that everyone can reach their full potential, regardless of their background or personal circumstances. These scholarships have enabled access for local young people to achieve their very best. Well done to all involved and a special word of thanks to The Gallaher Trust who have invested in the Ballymena area to support its people and economy.”
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The collaboration with NRC offers a Foundation Degree Scholarship, supporting two students per year wishing to study courses in Engineering, Business with Digital Technology, Computing and Creative Media, covering their course fees for two years. Five scholarships have been awarded and attending on the day were James McIllfatrick, who has completed a Foundation Degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and who is now working locally as a junior engineer at Stream Bioenergy in Ballymena, and Bobby McElhill, who is currently studying a Foundation Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Another recipient, Luke Kirkwood is currently in the United States of America completing a one-year placement.
In 2022, The Gallaher Trust partnered with Supporting Communities to establish a University Scholarship for two students per year studying a STEM or business subject at either Queen's University, Belfast, or Ulster University including a £1,500 technology package and £2,000 per year for the duration of their course. The Scheme currently has six recipients and Cameron McCaw, who is studying Mathematics, Juliana O’Mullan, who is studying Business Studies, Alex Hamill, who is currently on his placement year as part of his Business Studies course, Beth Hannah, who is studying Agriculture Technology and Holly Frame, who is studying Actuarial Science and Risk Management, attended the event.
Last year saw the launch of agricultural scholarships in conjunction with the Ulster Farmers’ Union, with the Gallaher Trust pledging £65,000 of funding to support Ballymena's rural economy through supporting two local students per year wishing to study at CAFRE (College of Agriculture and Rural Enterprise) with a £1,500 technology package and course fees. A total of four students have received the UFU Scholarship thus far and Caleb Orr and Rachel Jamieson attended the event. Megan Law, another recipient, is currently in New Zealand on a placement year where she is working on a large dairy farm.
Speaking about the scholarship scheme Gordon Kane from NRC, commented: “Today’s event gave us an opportunity to recognise the students’ achievements thus far. As a delivery partner, NRC is proud to support young people in the Ballymena area who, without the scholarship scheme, may not have been able to continue to further education.”
Elsewhere, Beth Hannah, a recipient of the Supporting Communities Scholarship Scheme added: “I am really enjoying my time studying Agriculture as coming from a family farm it really is second nature to me. I am particularly interested in dairy production and cattle nutrition that's necessary to achieve optimal outputs. I am hoping to use my degree to begin a career teaching agriculture at GCSE/A-level.”
In addition to providing financial support to local students, The Gallaher Trust will also partner with employers in the Ballymena vicinity to help improve job prospects for Scholarship graduates.
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