Careers in IT: Work Integrated Learning scholarships

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http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,,24597408-15306,00.html

THE economic downturn has many students wondering what lies ahead, but $8 million worth of scholarships could provide technology graduates with an escape plan.

The funds are provided by local technology players such as IBM, Accenture, Satyam, Tata Consultancy Services and HCL Technologies, and managed by the Australian Computer Society Foundation.

Two types of scholarships are on offer: Work Integrated Learning and Grow a Graduate.

According to the foundation, Work Integrated Learning scholarships provide work experience relevant to the student's academic studies while Grow a Graduate scholarships are tailored to encourage applicants to develop the skills that the donor - or technology company - requires.

More than 500 scholarships were up for grabs for the 2008-09 financial year ending in June, ACS Foundation executive director John Ridge said.

The scholarships typically range between $34,000 and $42,000.

However, some companies are dishing out more to lure talent early. IT outsourcer HCL is one example. It is offering two scholarships worth $50,000 each.

This would entail the successful applicant spending about four months in India for training purposes, and then another 12 months with HCL on their return to Australia.

During their overseas stay, travel and accommodation would be covered by HCL.

The company said it would pay an additional $1000 per scholarship holder monthly while they were overseas.

"In the past, the scholarship program has had a lukewarm response, with some companies struggling to find any takers, but towards the end of the last financial year, there was more interest in the program, with $4.4 million out of $5.6 million handed out," Mr Ridge said.

"Some IT graduates, struggling to find jobs, realise these scholarships offer more than work experience. It's relevant work experience in a real-life scenario."

By January next year, he expected about 50 scholarships worth a total of $2 million to have been awarded.

"There were 430 scholarships awarded in the 2007 financial year and I'm quite optimistic we'll do well this time too," he said. Mr Ridge hoped more female applicants would be enticed by the program.

"Most females who apply have fantastic credentials, and we would encourage more women to look at this program seriously," he said.