VICTORIA - Sixty B.C. students have been awarded the first Pacific Leaders scholarships for children of BC Public Service employees, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

"These 60 exceptional young British Columbians are receiving these scholarships as a vote of confidence in them and their future, and also as an encouragement to consider following their parents' example as dedicated employees of the BC Public Service," Campbell said. "I wish all the recipients well as they continue their education at B.C. post-secondary institutions and lay the foundation for their own careers."

Recipients will receive a $2,500 scholarship when they enrol as a full-time student in an undergraduate degree program or a trade, technical or vocational program at a recognized public or private post-secondary institution in B.C. Applications were chosen based on academic achievement (with a minimum B average), communication skills and an essay written by the students on the value of the public service. Each winner has at least one parent who has been a regular full-time or part-time employee of the BC Public Service continuously for the past three years.

"Winners of this Pacific Leaders scholarship will have their pick of our province's 25 excellent public universities, colleges, university colleges and institutes, as well as hundreds of private post-secondary institutions that expand education options in B.C.," said Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell. "These students' accomplishments, and their parents' service to the public, have earned them a great start on investing in their future."

"Through Pacific Leaders, we are investing in the academic futures of talented students while building a promising talent pool in the wake of a growing labour shortage," said Ida Chong, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Agency. "This is all part of our efforts to attract and retain talented employees to B.C.'s public service - a great place to build a career."

The scholarships are one component of the Pacific Leaders program announced by Campbell in March. The program also provides scholarshipsof up to $7,500 for BC Public Service employees to support their career development and training, graduate student fellowships of up to $20,000 to attract top researchers to the public service, and forgiveness of B.C. student loans for employees who work in the BC Public Service for at least three years.

The Pacific Leaders program is part of the ongoing strategy to increase the competitiveness of the BC Public Service as an employer to help retain and recruit the employees needed to meet the needs of British Columbians. By 2015, 45 per cent of managers and 35 per cent of bargaining unit employees will be eligible to retire from the BC Public Service. The public service is the largest employer in the province,with over 30,000 employees living and working in more than 280 B.C. communities.

A list of the scholarship recipients is attached, and more information on the Pacific Leaders program is available online at www.pacificleaders.gov.bc.ca.