Solidarity invests in education

Executive director of the fund, Dirk Hermann, said the Bursary Fund awarded annual study bursaries to needy students.

"The increased number of bursaries will contribute to resolving the skills shortages faced by our country.

"More than 140 of the students who received bursaries this year are undergoing artisan training, an area in which the work environment is experiencing great need," he said.

This was the fifth year in which the fund had awarded bursaries, primarily to needy students.

"The Fund reached a high this year, having grown by approximately R400 000. Last year it exceeded the one million mark for the first time."

Career choice played an important part in the bursary selection process.

"Solidarity Helping Hand not only wants to assist young people to pursue further studies, but also wants to support students in fields of study that will provide job security in the economy," said Hermann.

The fund received more than 400 applications this year and managed to assist 288 students.

Two hundred bursaries were awarded last year.

- Sapa