Playford Trust / Nyrstar Scholarships

With the generous support of Nyrstar, the Playford Trust offers up to four (4) two-year scholarships to students entering their third year of chemical, mechanical or electrical engineering at one of South Australia’s three public universities. 

Nyrstar is a global multi-metals business, with a market leading position in zinc and lead, and growing positions in other base and precious metals. Nyrstar Port Pirie is the largest single stream primary lead smelter in the world and produces refined commodity grade lead and lead alloys, zinc oxide fume, copper cathode, silver and gold, sulphuric acid and other byproduct metals.

The paid work placement will provide the scholarship holder with the opportunity to develop skills and enhance their industry participation. They will undertake a number of technical projects to solve real problems and apply university knowledge in an industrial setting. Working closely with the senior plant metallurgist or senior engineer to properly understand and identify the problem, they will undertake analysis of the problem, develop/design and implement solutions.

We recommend you begin your application as soon as possible and complete as much as you can this year. This allows the Trust to give your name to Nyrstar early.

At the end of their scholarship and studies, the scholarship holder may be offered a place in the company’s graduate program at Port Pirie.

The scholarships are valued at $10,000 a year, for two years.

The scholarship involves a paid eight to twelve week work placement at Nyrstar’s Port Pirie Smelter over the summer vacation with placements taking place before third-year and before fourth-year studies commence.

Scholarship holders will be paid generously for each work placement, but are expected to meet their own living expenses while on their placement.

Applicants must be: 

• ready to commence third-year undergraduate studies at one of South Australia’s three public universities in chemical, mechanical or electrical engineering
• prepared to develop skills and enhance their industry participation by undertaking an 8 to 12 week paid work placement at Nyrstar’s Port Pirie Smelter over the summer vacation, before their third and fourth-year of studies
• passionate about the resource and smelting industries
• an Australian citizen or a holder of a permanent resident visa, and resident in South Australia
• intending to spend a significant part of their career in South Australia, or be likely to provide a benefit to the State
• a high achiever, with an excellent undergraduate academic record
• of good character. Preference will be given to students who display leadership potential.

Preference will also be given to indigenous students or students whose home base is in the mid north of South Australia. However, all eligible students are encouraged to apply.

It is essential that the applicant’s supervisor or an academic referee (e.g. dean of school/faculty, or lecturer) provides a supporting comment about the student’s achievements, character and leadership potential.