The Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm has awarded five Caithness high school leavers with scholarships to support further studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) as part of the Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Education & Training Fund.
The awards, administered through independent charity Foundation Scotland, mark the third year of the fund, which will provide a total of £16,000 to local students over four years.
This year, one student from Farr High School and four from Thurso High School are the beneficiaries of the award which will help to support their transition to university, including purchasing equipment to support their learning or the associated costs of relocating ahead of the academic year.
Kaigha Van Voornveld, from Farr High School, who will attend University of Abertay to study BSc Hons Mental Health Nursing, said: “I am very grateful to have been selected for this fund and know that it will be a huge help in ensuring I am able to follow my studies effectively at university.”
Keira Bain from Thurso, said: “Receiving the Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Education and Training Fund is assisting me to purchase equipment to support my degree in Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, it is also assisting me with the high costs involved in living in a city with the move from the rural community of Caithness.”
Also leaving Thurso to attend University, Edward Warner commented: “Thank you so much to the Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Education and Training Fund for giving me the grant. This will help me buy equipment and books for my course at the University of Glasgow.”
Richard Copeland, Pentland Project Director, commented: “We are delighted to continue our support for the next generation as they pursue their further and higher education studies in STEM subjects. There are diverse and rewarding career opportunities for young people with an interest in these areas and encouraging those keen to explore this path also ensures future skills requirements are met, so it’s win-win.
“We hope our contribution helps make the transition into university life easier. Supporting students in the discovery stage of their career is a huge privilege and I wish all the recipients the best of luck as they begin the next phase of their journey.”
Eilidh Coll, Community Funds Adviser, Foundation Scotland, added: “As the bursary progresses, the quality of applications only seems to grow, all the candidates demonstrate strong links to their communities through part-time jobs, volunteering or helping coaching younger students. We are excited to support them on their academic journey and grateful to Highland Wind Limited for establishing this scholarship.”
