Port of Dover is launching a bursary scheme to encourage young people to study a port-related field at university.

Students aged 16 to 24 could be paid up to £3,000 to study degrees in economics through to civil engineering.

The programme for people living within the CT14 to CT17 postcodes has been launched after the success of the port’s apprenticeship scheme.

Students must be entering full-time study in September 2014 and be prepared to go on a work placement with the port during their study.

Port of Dover chief executive Tim Waggott said: “The appeal of our apprenticeship scheme has demonstrated the real interest and enthusiasm for the port in our local young people.

“We now feel it is the right time to make a further commitment to ensuring that the future success of the Port is driven by local people.

“We want Dover’s children to be the next generation of Dover’s stars and so commit to supporting this with our new bursary scheme.”

The bursary includes a paid work placement during or following the period of their study, including a summer work placement for a minimum of eight weeks to a maximum of one year.

Dover Grammar School for Girls headteacher Matthew Bartlett said: “As the major employer in Dover, the port’s support for local students is invaluable both in expanding their career prospects and for the longer term renewal of Dover as it helps to keep the talent which our school develops in the area.”

Details at www.doverport.co.uk.