Potash firm mines for talent (From Gazette & Herald)

York Potash awards bursaries to young people

11:42am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News

YORK Potash has awarded bursaries to five young people to prepare them for a job at the mine.

The firm, which proposes to build the world’s largest potash mine beneath the North York Moors National Park, is providing each student with a bursary worth £3,000 a year and a chance to secure a permanent role with the business after graduation.

Aaron Furness-Law from Norton, Caroline Wilkinson from Malton, Andrew Campbell from Eastfield, Amy Watkin from Scarborough and Asher Haynes from Helmsley, are all starting earth sciences or engineering degree courses at UK universities after being selected by the company.

As well as receiving financial support every year, the students will receive eight weeks of paid work experience each summer and be assigned a mentor from York Potash.

Matt Parsons, education and skills manager at York Potash, said: “We have been working with headteachers and principals from local schools and colleges to promote the bursary scheme and it will continue to play an important role in equipping people with the necessary qualifications and skills needed for highly-skilled roles within our future operations.

“Many of our bursary students have taken different routes to higher education, but all have demonstrated that they have the outstanding talent, drive and ambition to learn new skills and I look forward to working closely with all of them as they progress their studies.”

York Potash is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs at the mine. The plans are currently undergoing public consultation with a full planning application to the National Park Authority expected before the end of the year.