Seeley International has announced the establishment of a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Scholarship.
The purpose of The Seeley International Scholarship is to encourage students and researchers with an interest in the field of commercial innovation and sustainability, specifically within the HVAC industry, to pursue industry relevant research with regards to reducing energy costs and creating healthy indoor environments using highly innovative commercial solutions.
Seeley International founder, Frank Seeley, said the value of each annual scholarship will be $5,000.
There will be one recipient awarded each year, with applications for Expressions of Interest submitted in July each year, and then the successful recipient is selected by the appropriate school within Flinders University.
Seeley announced the scholarships after being honoured with the distinguished award of the Degree of Doctor of the University, at a graduating function for 220 Science and Engineering graduates at Flinders University .
“Having the opportunity to support and encourage our brightest and most innovative students studying for a career in the HVAC industry is a perfect fit for Seeley International. I’m delighted to support this worthwhile initiative,” Seeley said.
Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling said Seeley is not just a generous community champion, but a stalwart of Australian manufacturing and steadfast supporter of research and innovation.
“The Seeley International Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Scholarship is further evidence of his commitment to fostering knowledge and supporting students to make a difference through their research in the HVAC field,” Professor Stirling said.
Flinders University Chancellor Stephen Gerlach AM, presented the doctorate to Seeley, describing him as a home-grown success story coming from humble beginnings to becoming a giant within the Australian manufacturing industry.
“I had plenty of doubters when I first founded Seeley International in my garage back in 1972, but patience, persistence and an unwavering belief in achieving the impossible has seen an idea grow over time to become Australia’s largest manufacturer of heating and cooling systems that proudly exports locally designed and manufactured products to more than 100 countries around the world,” Seeley said.
Seeley was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2001, won South Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005 and was awarded HVACR Leader of the Year by CCN in 2013.
Meanwhile, TAFE NSW is set to embark on an unprecedented recruitment drive for teachers, primarily to train students in construction industry trades.
TAFE teachers will be employed across the state, with 40 per cent of new teachers to be based in Western Sydney.
The Minister responsible for TAFE NSW, Adam Marshall, said the NSW Government’s planned infrastructure projects are creating careers in trades, including plumbing, electrical and construction.
The construction boom across NSW will require 21,600 additional skilled construction workers over the next three years to 2021, with 10,400 new workers needed in Western Sydney alone.
A new Teacher Recruitment Taskforce will oversee the recruitment across the state.
Government-funded trade enrolments at TAFE NSW have increased 19 per cent in the past year.