Narrabri Education Foundation (NEF) has again been a conduit of community support for Narrabri’s young people setting out on their career training pathway.
Last week, the NEF announced grants totalling $24,000 for 17 young people to help with vocational training and university study costs.
The NEF began its program in 2001 and is part of the Country Education Foundation of Australia.
The funds which provide the NEF grants are generated through local donations from corporate and private sponsors.
The grants are specifically for Narrabri school leavers and the program is administered by a local volunteer committee, chaired by Mr Horst Merten.
“Late in 2014 we received 27 applications for funding,” a spokesperson said.
“The committee deliberated and decided to appoint 18 grants ranging from $500 to $3000.
“Some of these grants are to help with apprenticeships and some are to assist with University costs.
“Universities may also offer these students a matching scholarship to that of the NEF.”
Grants are not based solely on acedemic criteria but are also given to students based on their goal setting, commitment and the need for financial assistance.
The NEF has assisted more than 140 Narrabri students since 2002, distributing education grants and leadership development opportunities worth over $300,000.
Rather than giving cash grants NEF pays for goods and services on the student’s behalf that are directly linked to their education and training goal.
The Foundation believes that, in addition to the financial helping hand, the grant is conveying to each recipient that their community is supportive of them and wants to help them achieve their goal.
“Receiving financial assistance from their community to help achieve a goal is such a boost to their confidence and their commitment to do well,” a spokesperson from NEF said.
“Our local education foundation is something the Narrabri community can be proud of.
“Our longevity and success is made possible because of the terrific community support we receive each year.
“Our community values our young people and thinks it is important to encourage and support their education goals and aspirations.
“Education is the key to a self directed and self sustaining future.”
NEF directs funding based on the knowledge that people who grow up in a rural setting are those most likely to live in a rural area when they have completed their studies and training.
Former NEF grant recipients often return to Narrabri which shows the education grants are not only an investment in the future of the local community, but also in the future of rural and regional Australia
“The grants we give are important because for many rural youth the distance they need to travel and the relocation costs associated with achieving their aspirations of TAFE or university can create great financial hardship, or adversely – the family do not even consider the possibility,” the NEF spokesperson said.
“We are giving them that opportunity, but every year financial hardship results in some of our local youth facing the possibility of not being able to achieve their post high school education and training goal and with it, the opportunity to reach their potential.
“These young people risk becoming disheartened and disenfranchised.
“We know that this doesn’t have to be the case and by working together we can change the future for young people.”