Timber Queensland has extended the deadline for the Timber Queensland Growth Scholarships to the close of business Monday, July 3.
The scholarships offer between $2500 and $10,000 for recipients to put towards a professional development opportunity, such as a course, degree, domestic or international conference attendance, a study tour or other learning project.
Who is eligible to apply for a Timber Queensland Growth Scholarship?
- Must be a Queensland resident only
- Aged 18 to 45 years and is focused on early career professionals
- Open to applicants working in both the public and private sector
- Available to applicants working in all segments and levels of the forest and timber industry supply chain or currently undertaking studies related to the forest and timber industry
What can you use a Timber Queensland Growth Scholarship for?
A Growth Scholarship will provide financial assistance (e.g., cost of course/fees, travel, time away from a job) for a learning project.
A learning project can include informal and formal experiences and innovation learnings, such as assistance with on-the-job training, short courses, study tours, components/units of formal qualifications, attendance at conferences and events, short-term work placements or secondments to gain experience.
Open to anyone working or studying in forestry and timber value chain
Timber Queensland says the scholarships are open to anyone working or studying in the forestry and timber value chain.
That includes those working in plantation nurseries or harvesting operations to sawmill operations and factory staff right through to builders, certifiers, and even office staff working for organisations within the industry.
Past recipients include Adam Faircloth
In 2022, forest scientist Adam Faircloth was awarded the inaugural $10,000 Kennedy’s Timbers Award and encouraged other early to mid-career forest and timber industry workers to apply for the program.
Mr Faircloth has returned from his learning experience, a study tour across Australia and New Zealand to gain insights into perceived challenges, R&D opportunities, and current achievements in vibroacoustic assessment.
“Getting out there and meeting people was very, very helpful. Especially early in my career,” said Mr Faircloth.
During a recent presentation outlining the learnings of his study tour, Mr Faircloth said his learning experience has already positively impacted his career development.
“I made over 40 new industry contacts during my study tour, developed a lot of knowledge about the industry and have lots of excitement for the future,” he said.
“I’ve recently started a new position as Principal Technician of the Forest Product Innovation team at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and have started the process to enrol in a PhD.”
Timber Queensland: we welcome all applicants
Timber Queensland’s Strategic Relations Manager Clarissa Brandt, who has returned following the WoodSolutions Tour of Sweden and Norway, encouraged Queensland businesses to promote the scholarship to their staff and colleagues.
“The idea of applying for a scholarship may seem overwhelming. However, it is a simple and fair process that is equitable for factory workers and foresters alike, in fact for anyone involved in the industry supply chain,” she said.
“The online application form includes questions regarding industry commitment, past education, training and employment and asks applicants to describe their proposed learning project and how it will develop their career in the forest and timber industry.
“We encourage everyone in the industry to promote these scholarships to their staff and colleagues and to apply if you have a great idea and wish to learn more. The future is bright here in Queensland!”
The 2023 – 2024 Growth Scholarship applications opened on March 28 and close on June 30. The awards on offer include:
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOUNDING PARTNER
- Kennedy’s Timber Award – $10,000
DIAMOND PARTNER
- HQPlantations Award – $5,000
DIAMOND PARTNER
- AKD Award – $5,000
RUBY PARTNER
- DTM Timber – $2,500
Learn more about the Growth Scholarships from the Timber Queensland website.
