Ben embraces concreting as he cements future as engineer
Published on 14 April, 2010
CQUniversity engineering student Benjamin Heinrich doesn't mind getting his hands dirty. He's been working part-time as a labourer and concreter even as he makes great strides towards his chosen career as a civil engineer.
"It helps to gain experiences and respect for the work which will relate to my future endeavours," he says.
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Ben has recently branched out from his home town of Tannum Sands, first to Gladstone Campus and more recently to Rockhampton Campus, where he now has the support of a Gladstone Regional Council scholarship valued at $16,000 per year for the duration of his studies.
While the money provides crucial support, another major benefit is that Ben will be able work at Gladstone council depots during his degree-linked work placements and work experiences.
"It means when I graduate I won't be joining an unfamiliar workforce and my engineering knowledge can begin to expand straight away," he said.
Gladstone Regional Council has thrown additional support behind the civil engineering scholarships, after success with 2 awards in 2009. Ben was recently confirmed as the 2010 scholarship winner. The scholarships have been established to address a shortage of civil engineers in the region and to support Gladstone's recruitment and development initiatives.
"This scholarship is rather important because I do plan to spend more time studying than working, which will be a big bonus. Along with that I will be able to upgrade some of my old study equipment like my computer or calculator which will enable my studies to be completed to a higher standard," he said.
The proud Central Queenslander is confident he will have an employment future in the region.
"I do see plenty of opportunity in this region for an engineering career because of the latest expansions happening which seem to bring in a lot of people from parts of Australia seeking work and housing," he said.
"With the latest LNG plant apparently going ahead, Gladstone should be able to boom again, enabling future engineering graduates from the CQ region to enter a working community that won't be limited by the amount of positions vacant."
Outside of work and study, Ben is developing an interest in spearfishing and golf and takes the opportunity to indulge in snowboarding whenever he can find time in his holidays.
CQUniversity Donor Prize and Scholarship Coordinator Melissa Misztal said these scholarships illustrated the potential for beneficial partnerships between the University and a variety of regional industries, businesses and organisations. A common goal was to develop and retain talent within the region and to avoid a brain drain to capital cities.
"Scholarships make a significant difference to students' ability to achieve and to the donor's ability to meet organisational objectives," she said.
Anyone interested in establishing a scholarship can contact Ms Misztal via m.misztal@cqu.edu.au or 07 4923 2786.