Saint Lucia to offer scholarships to females pursuing studies at SALCC

Saint Lucia: The Department of Infrastructure has collaborated with the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to offer scholarships and apprenticeships to the young women of Saint Lucia for the 2024-2025 academic year. According to the information, a minimum of 13 scholarships will be offered for the 2024/2025 academic year. These scholarships will cover the cost of a laptop, tuition, uniforms, school supplies, tool kit as well as transportation throughout the duration of the studies.

The programme will also provide students with the chance to have an extended paid apprenticeship in the energy sector.

The programme is being administered by the Project Implementation Unit of the RESDP - Renewable Energy Sector Development Project. It is being financed by the Canada Clean Energy and Forests Climate Facility and aims to reduce the gap between employment opportunities for women in the energy sector.

The Government of Saint Lucia said that by pursuing studies at the associate degree level in electrical, mechanical, computer systems and automotive engineering and at the certificate level in electrical installation, air conditioning systems and motor vehicle mechanics within the Engineering Unit of the SALCC.

While announcing the development, Project Manager at the Project Implementation Unit of the RESDP, Ken Aldonza said that the team was pleased to collaborate with the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College on this significant initiative. He added that he is seeing this endeavour as critical to addressing the gender gap in STEM education as well as in the workplace. Aldonza said that he hopes that by investing in young females, the team can make a small but significant impact in tackling this issue.

It is to be noted that in 2022, the programme gave scholarships to 10 females who were the first recipients, while in 2023, 7 scholarships and 3 apprenticeships were given.

The students can only apply for this scholarship after being admitted into the Engineering Unit of the SALCC.