€50,000 bursary to help fund apprenticeships and courses for Tipperary school's past students

A business man has set up a bursary that will help fund STEM apprenticeship and courses for past pupils of his alma mater – Edmund Rice Secondary School in Carrick-on-Suir.

Eddie Gough, CEO of POWERSUB, a company that provides integrated modular substations for power distribution and EV rapid charging, has set up the €50,000 Eddie Gough Bursary, which he will sponsor for the next five years.

He was warmly welcomed back to his old school on March 13 to launch the bursary

The scheme will award €1,000 annually to 10 former ERSS students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths apprenticeships and courses after completing the Leaving Cert.

Half of the €1,000 bursary will be paid at the start of the apprenticeship and the remaining €500 will be paid after successfully completing first year exams.

Edmund Rice Secondary School Head Deputy Boy Conor Hearne, ERSS Board of Management Chairman Tom Larkin, Eddie Gough of POWERSUB and ERSS Head Boy Cormac Cummins, who is a nephew of Mr Gough at the bursary launch. Picture Anne Marie Magorrian 

Mr Gough shared his inspiring journey with the school’s Transition, 5th and 6th year students at the launch.

He told them of how his decision to do an apprenticeship with MSD in Ballydine on leaving school, shaped his career, led to international travel, and ultimately helped him establish his own company, POWERSUB.

Mr Gough emphasised the benefits of apprenticeships, highlighting career prospects, hands-on learning, and financial independence.

He spoke highly of retired ERSS science teacher Noel Casey who helped him prepare for his interview for the apprenticeship.

His trade opened the door to travel and he worked in companies in Holland, Wicklow and South Africa. He then returned to study at night and completed a degree and masters in Science.

Mr Gough encouraged students to consider the wide range of apprenticeships and courses available in engineering and trades which can lead to specialising in a particular science field, consultancy work and the exciting opportunity to start up a business.

“You are never out of work with a trade” he added and spoke of how AI will eventually dissipate office jobs and many other roles, as automation accelerates.

Interested 6th Year students can speak with the school’s guidance counsellor Ms O’Keeffe in the coming weeks for more details on how to apply for the Eddie Gough Bursary.

The bursary can be available to any student who has recently left the school and wishes to apply for an apprenticeship in the specific areas.

Principal Majella Gleeson thanked Ms Gough for offering this generous bursary in support of students going forward for STEM related courses and apprenticeships. It was a massive opportunity for these students, she said.

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