BANKING giant Lloyds has unveiled a new partnership with Queen’s University which will see students from low-income households in the north being offered financial and skills support.
'Lloyds Scholars' is a social mobility programme which will provide 15 undergraduates with bursaries of £1,000 a year, performance related cash awards for good grades and two paid internships with the bank.
Successful applicants will also be provided with an established business mentor and have access to a range of workshops and seminars which develop employability skills.
Queen’s is the ninth university to join the programme, with eight other established institutions already involved across the UK.
Students on the programme will also have to do their bit, however, as they will be required to complete at least 100 hours of volunteering in their local area alongside their studies, in order to strengthen their employability aspects and give back to the community.
Since the programme’s inception, Lloyds Scholars have contributed around £1.2 million of volunteering time to charities and groups.
Professor David Jones, pro-vice chancellor of Queen’s said they were pleased to be joining the programme.
"We are passionate about the futures of our students and the programme is a fantastic opportunity, as it not only offers them financial support with living costs and study materials, but also the chance to gain work experience and access to a mentor alongside their studies," he said.
By 2020, Lloyds aim to support 1,185 students across the UK as part of the programme and have pledged to invest £17m towards the scheme.
