Investing in Local Futures: CUC Isaac and Iberdrola Australia Partner to Support Regional Students

“This partnership doesn’t just help our students study, it helps them stay the course, and finish what they started, right here in their own community.”

CUC Isaac is proud to partner with Iberdrola Australia to deliver an annual scholarship program supporting local students undertaking tertiary study through CUC Isaac at its Moranbah and Clermont centres.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening education pathways, building workforce capability and creating opportunities for people to live, learn and work in the Isaac region.

Through the program, Iberdrola Australia will fund five scholarships of $5,000 each year for three years, representing a total investment of $75,000 and supporting up to 15 local students throughout the life of the partnership.

For regional students in the Isaac region, the cost of studying extends well beyond course fees with additional expenses including having the appropriate technology, as well as travel, accommodation and time away from paid employment to complete placements or attend residential schools. The scholarship program has been designed to ease these pressures, helping students focus on their studies and achieve their educational goals.

Scholarship recipients can use the funds to support:

• Course materials and study equipment
• Technology and internet access
• Travel and accommodation for placements or residential schools
• Other education-related expenses that support successful study

CUC Isaac Centre Manager Juliet Garnett said the scholarships will make a meaningful difference to students navigating the realities of higher education from a regional community.

“Five thousand dollars can cover the accommodation for a placement block. It can replace the income lost during unpaid weeks away. It can put fuel in the car for that long drive to residential school. It removes a barrier that has nothing to do with a student’s ability or determination and everything to do with the simple reality of studying from the regions.”

By reducing financial barriers, the scholarships help students remain connected to the region while pursuing qualifications that can lead to rewarding careers and contribute to the future of the region.

Iberdrola Australia hosted an evening to celebrate the launch of the scholarships. L-R: Dr Sharon Stephen, Chair Melissa Westcott, Mayor Kelly Vea Vea, Nino Lalic (Iberdrola Australia), Juliet Garnett, Naomi Brummitt (Iberdrola Australia).

The partnership is also significant as one of the first collaborations of its kind in the Isaac region between a renewable energy company and a community-based education provider. It demonstrates how industry can play an active role in supporting local people, strengthening workforce pipelines and investing in long-term community sustainability.

As the region continues to evolve, partnerships like this help ensure local people have the opportunity to gain the skills and qualifications needed to participate in renewable industries and future employment opportunities.

For CUC Isaac, the scholarship program represents more than financial support. It is an investment in local potential, helping students access higher education while remaining close to family, community and country.

To learn more about the CUC Isaac Iberdrola Australia Scholarship Program, click here.