Scholarship winner announced

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17 year old Mairangi Bay resident and Rangitoto College student Matt Jillings has been named as the winner of the inaugural North Harbour Business Association Bachelor of Business Studies Scholarship worth $15,000.

Presented by Prime Minister John Key, the award to Mr. Jillings was the highlight of the Association’s 2010 Annual General Meeting Luncheon held this week at North Harbour Stadium and attended by close to 200 local business people.

North Harbour Business Association General Manager Gary Holmes said that the competition between the six finalists was close but the judging panel decided to award the Scholarship to Mr. Jillings based on the feedback from his mentoring companies and his final interview with the panel. 

“Matt is an incredibly talented young man, who displays an amazing mature, confident and personable attitude,” said Mr. Holmes.  “As one of his mentors stated in the feedback: “If Matt is an example of what the next generation has to offer, then our future looks bright and in safe hands”.

The Scholarship was launched this year in partnership with Rangitoto College’s School of Business programme for year 12 and 13 pupils.  The six finalists were each paired with a local North Harbour business that provided them with mentoring sessions and practical support.  Mr. Jillings spent time with local companies Sealegs International and Actionmail, enabling him to see firsthand the businesses operate.

Mr. Jillings said “The overall experience has given me a great overview how businesses function in the real world. I was able to witness firsthand what it is like to be immersed in a business environment and what goes into running a successful business. I feel that this experience will aid me hugely as I complete university and in my career as it has given me a great exposure to some very dynamic businesses.”

Mr Jillings will study for a Bachelor of Business Studies degree majoring in management at Massey University’s Massey campus next year and hopes to be able to offer his own mentoring to Rangitoto College pupils next year.  Asked what advice he would give students wishing to be considered for this scholarship, he replied “Just go for it – it is an absolutely amazing experience”.