60 of Southland Institute of Technology's (SIT) leading trade graduates are $1000 better off after receiving a Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT) trade scholarship on Wednesday night (14 Dec).

Commencing in 2013, the scholarships aim to support students who study trades through SIT, with the ILT funding the initiative and the SIT managing the selection process.

ILT President, Paddy O’Brien said the ILT has a strong emphasis on education.

“We support education for our community through all stages of life and we’re very proud of our partnerships with SIT and now SIT/Te Pūkenga. We’re pleased to be able to recognise the students’ achievements and help cover some of the costs they have incurred while studying”, O’Brien said.

Daryl Haggerty, Executive Director, SIT said SIT/Te Pūkenga was thrilled that the ILT continued to offer the trade scholarships to students.

"The ILT is a strong community supporter and we are proud to partner with them. It is great that the scholarship recipients are being acknowledged for their hard work and accomplishment”.

Recipients have completed courses in a range of subjects from beauty therapy and hairdressing to mechanical engineering and architectural technology.

Each student receives a scholarship of $1000 to help cover costs incurred during the year completing the course.