Mond

Monday, 7 August 2006

NATIONALS PROMISE BETTER DEAL FOR COUNTRY STUDENTS

Young people in the Benalla Electorate would find the transition to further studies easier under The Nationals plan to provide a $3,000 living away from home allowance, according to Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes has welcomed today’s launch of The Nationals initiative which is designed to reduce the barriers for country students undertaking further studies and address the skills shortage in rural and regional Victoria.

“The additional cost of living away from home is a barrier for country students attending university or undertaking other forms of further training such as apprenticeships or traineeships,” Dr Sykes said.

“Under The Nationals plan, students who live more than 100kms from home, will be entitled to a $3,000 grant during the first year of their course.

“The key focus of the grant is to address the skill shortage in rural and regional Victoria by making it easier for country kids to undertake further studies. We would hope that a high percentage would return to country areas once they have finished their courses.”

Dr Sykes said the plan should be supported by all political parties.

“The problem of skill shortages in a range of professions is well recognised in country areas and it is more likely that a person who has grown up in a regional area, will want to return in the future,” Dr Sykes said.

“We need to make it a bit easier for country kids to achieve their full potential. At the moment, students in Melbourne are participating in further studies at a higher rate than country students.

“The Nationals believe that part of the reason is the cost of living away from home and this cash grant will help to ease the burden on country students and their families in the first year of study.”

Dr Sykes said the grant would also be available to city students who choose to travel more than 100km away from home to study in the country.

“The same rules will apply – giving city students a taste of country life is going to reap rewards in the longer term and we would encourage more Melbourne-based students to study at regional campuses,” Dr Sykes said.

“This plan will form part of The Nationals Education Policy for the November election. We believe it’s a good idea and completely affordable if the Bracks Government would stop wasting money on expensive advertising propaganda campaigns.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989