20 September 2023
Three Fife College engineering students have been given a boost to their career prospects after they were awarded scholarships by Shell UK.
Engineering students Fraser Jackson, Branden Eagleton and Harvey Gray have all received scholarship awards of £1,000 each from the energy company.
The Shell UK Scholarship, awarded through the Adam Smith Scholarships programme, , recognises academic ability as well as a commitment to studies with the aim of progressing in the energy industry.
Offered by Shell UK since 2009, the scholarship awards can be used by the students to purchase equipment and materials to support their studies and to progress onto another course or into employment.
HNC Mechanical Engineering student Fraser and HNC Electrical Engineering student Branden were awarded their scholarships during a visit and tour of Shell UK’s Fife NGL (Natural Gas Liquids) Plant at Mossmorran. Third scholarship winner Harvey, also studying HNC Mechanical Engineering, was unfortunately unable to attend on the day of the visit.
Fraser and Branden were greeted at the plant by Pauline McGeevor, Community Liaison Officer and were introduced to the facility by Craig Burnett, Plant Manager. Craig gave a bit of background to his career, as well as giving some insight to the students on how to get into the industry. The students were then taken on a tour of the site by Sarah Hilditch, Occupational Health Lead.
Fraser Jackson, from Dunfermline, said:
"I am thrilled to receive the Shell UK scholarship. It means a lot to me; it will allow me to buy tools and equipment for career purposes. It will also help support me with further studies and travelling.”
Fraser has since managed to secure an engineering apprenticeship with a large firm and started earlier this month.
Branden Eagleton, from Kirkcaldy, said:
"I felt over the moon and as if I was dreaming to find out I had been awarded this scholarship. The money will be spent on a new car to get to and from College.
“I am aiming to go into an apprenticeship in electrical engineering in the future as it has always been my dream to be a wind turbine technician.”
Craig Burnett, Plant Manager at Shell UK's Fife NGL Plant, said:
“By linking real-life and learning experiences we aim to nurture the next generation of problem-solvers, leaders, and innovators, as well as grow the UK’s skills base and pipeline of scientists and engineers.
“We were delighted to welcome Fraser and Branden to the plant to present them with their scholarship awards.
“Congratulations to all three of our scholarship winners this year. They are each very much deserving of their award and I’m confident they can go on to enjoy exciting and fulfilling careers in the future.”
Lyn Gold, Scholarship and Alumni Engagement Lead at Fife College, said:
“The visit to the Fife NGL Plant was an amazing opportunity for our students to get up close to a working plant and find out more about the technology, as well as see just where the support for their scholarship comes from.
“Fraser, Branden and Harvey are deserving winners of this year’s scholarship awards. Not only will these awards provide them with a valuable financial boost, but having a renowned global company like Shell on their CVs will also help them stand out from the crowd as they embark on their next steps.”
Adam Smith Scholarships, part of Fife College, is one of the largest college scholarship programmes in Scotland, awarding thousands of pounds each year to support students, develop opportunities, open doors and transform lives.
For further details about scholarships at Fife College visit the Adam Smith Scholarships page or email scholarships@fife.ac.uk.
