Port of Dover Apprentices

Tim Waggott with six of the port’s current apprentices

The Port of Dover is launching a bursary scheme worth up to £3,000 for students living in the area.

The scheme aims to encourage local students to do a port-related degree at university, such as economics, business management, civil engineering or marine technology.

It will also offer a work placement at the port to go alongside the course, with a view that students will go on to long-term employment after graduating.

Preference will be given to talented students with personal or financial difficulties.

Chief executive of the Port of Dover, Tim Waggott, said the popularity of the existing apprenticeship scheme has demonstrated the interest in the port among local young people.

“We now feel it is the right time to make a further commitment to ensuring that the future success of the port is driven by local people. We want Dover’s children to be the next generation of Dover’s stars and so commit to supporting this with our new bursary scheme.”

Headteacher at Dover Grammar School for Girls, Matthew Bartlett, said: “As the major employer in Dover, the port’s support for local students is invaluable both in expanding their career prospects and for the longer term renewal of Dover.”