Bright spark Jessica wins scholarship 10 | 04 | 2018
FIFER JESSICA O’LEARY, a 16-year-old student at Edinburgh College, is on the road to a long future in automotive engineering after being awarded an electric vehicle (EV) scholarship funded by long-established Midlothian-based Nissan car dealership, Alex F Noble & Son.
Glenrothes-born O’Leary will complete a five-month scholarship designed to ensure she will leave college equipped with a greater depth of knowledge in electric vehicle technology. This is designed to help her to become an accomplished employee who can support the motor industry with future sustainable transportation developments.
The scholarship, funded by Alex F Noble & Son, is run by the Edinburgh College Development Trust. O’Leary is the first female student to have been selected to complete the programme, having shown a real interest in EV technology during the application process.
O’Leary is currently studying towards her IMI Level 1 Transport Maintenance (Light Vehicle) Certificate at the college’s Midlothian Campus and felt that applying for the EV scholarship was a chance not to be missed.
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“Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more mainstream today because of the move to become more sustainable” O’Leary said, “so I was really keen on getting involved in something that will help to keep my learning up-to-date with what’s happening across the wider world”.
The EV scholarships are the result of a long-standing partnership between the college and Alex F Noble & Son, which includes the dealership providing regular placements for automotive engineering students.
“We’re very proud of our long association with Edinburgh College and thrilled for Jessica in winning the first of this year’s two electric vehicle scholarships,” Gordon Campbell, sales manager at Alex F Noble & Son Nissan, said.
“Our Nissan Leaf all-electric vehicles are very much the future of motoring, so it’s fitting the new scholarships are helping the students of today become the highly skilled technicians of tomorrow.“
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Throughout her time at the college so far, o’Leary has spent the majority of her time in the workshop, an environment which in previous decades has been typically home to men. However, she believes girls should not be discouraged from entering the automotive industry.
“It really doesn’t matter,” O’Leary said. “I’ve loved cars for most of my life and I’m passionate about working in this industry. That’s what truly matters; it’s about being what you want to be, and being happy.
“My ultimate goal is to work for a big-name organisation within the industry and to contribute to the development of their sustainability work. Hopefully through hard work I can make it happen.”
O’Leary’s progress was praised by Edinburgh College Engineering curriculum manager, Ross Milligan.
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“Jessica is a great student,” he said. “Her enthusiasm for automotive engineering is clear to see and it’s fantastic that she’s been selected to complete this scholarship, which will complement her learning and contribute to her overall development.
“The standard of applications for the scholarship was very high and we look forward to seeing Jessica reaping the rewards of this training in the future.
“We’re very grateful to Alex F Noble & Son once again for their generosity. The company has supported us for a number of years now, providing our students with additional resources to further their development and it’s great to see Jessica being the latest student to benefit from that support.”
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Jim McGill
CAPTION: (From left) Jessica O’Leary (Noble Scholarship winner), Bob Murphy (Edinburgh College Electric Vehicle Administrator), Sheena Stone (Edinburgh College Development Trust Manager), Jim Rowan (EV Specialist at Alex F Noble & Son Nissan).