www.firstnationstelegraph.com
BHP Billiton’s scholars enjoy a view from the top
by AIEF 4 September 2013
F
rom the 45th floor of BHP Billiton’s Perth HQ, Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) scholarship students Timothy Hill, Jayde Hagan and Balin Willoughby surveyed promising careers with one of Australia’s biggest companies. The students enjoyed the view while attending BHP Billiton’s Summer Undergraduate Program Workshop and Team Building Day, where outstanding students and trainees from across the country were given advice on entering the workforce and applying for undergraduate positions at BHP Billiton. As the inaugural recipients of the AIEF-BHP Billiton Tertiary Scholarship, Timothy, Jayde and Balin are hoping to become part of a new generation of Indigenous leaders at companies like BHP Billiton. The Tertiary Scholarship is part
of the AIEF Scholarship Program, which gives Indigenous students the opportunity to attend some of Australia’s best boarding schools and university colleges. AIEF CEO Andrew Penfold said the support of organisations like BHP Billiton is essential to the success of the Foundation’s work. “AIEF’s mission is to empower Indigenous children to build a brighter future for themselves and for the nation. The support of BHP Billiton and our other corporate partners allows us to offer a wide range of development and career opportunities which will equip students with the tools they need to pursue a sustainable career,” he said. The AIEF-BHP Billiton Tertiary Scholarship covers accommodation and living expenses and is available to outstanding Indigenous students undertaking engineering or other mining-related degrees. Scholarship holders are also given the opportunity to apply for undergraduate and graduate
positions at BHP Billiton and receive ongoing support as part of the AIEF Pathways Program. The Pathways Program provides assistance with career planning, work readiness and skills development to ensure all AIEF scholarship holders make a successful, smooth and sustainable transition from school to further study or work for meaningful and productive careers. Scholarship holder Timothy Hill, who is currently in the fourth year of a combined Engineering and Commerce degree at the University of Sydney, was inspired to apply to BHP Billiton’s Vacation Program after attending the workshop with his fellow Scholarship students. The Vacation Program offers undergraduate students a sample of the fly in, fly out experience while working on a BHP Billiton site over the summer holidays. For more information on or to apply for an AIEF-BHP Billiton Tertiary Scholarship please visit www.aief.com.au.
Page 1