HAMPSHIRE students are set to benefit from a £12,000 donation from ExxonMobil Fawley Refinery.

Students at the New Forest Academy, Holbury, and apprentices at Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA) have each received a contribution of £6,000 from the refinery.

This comes as part of their commitment to encourage young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and pursue careers in those sectors.

The donation towards the New Forest Academy, will be used to see around 150 pupils from local primary schools invited to take part in science-related activities.

It will also purchase a state-of-the-art laser cutting machine, for GCSE technology students project work.

The money donated to Southampton Engineering Training Association will help to buy new tools and equipment for their apprentices.

Simon Downing, refinery manager at ExxonMobil Fawley, said: “Making sure we play our part in helping to give local young people opportunities to engage in STEM is an important priority for the site.

“Our goal is to support their education so that they not only enjoy their learning, but also have the potential to go on and have successful careers, perhaps even with us here at Fawley.”

New Forest Academy principal, Karen Godsall, said: “We are delighted that ExxonMobil is supporting us with important STEM-based projects.

“The students will benefit enormously from using the laser cutter in their technology lessons.

“Also, we look forward to running our STEM-based events with local primary schools as they provide such valuable learning experiences for young people within our community.”

Julie Gough, managing director of Southampton Engineering Training Association, said: “We are overwhelmed with the donation from ExxonMobil Fawley.

“As a registered charity, established in 1969, we have spent the past 50 years committed to quality engineering training for young people and have built links with local schools to try and encourage them into the industry.

“We work closely with the STEM network, so this donation from ExxonMobil fits perfectly with our ethos.

“To receive a £6,000 cash donation provides the opportunity to replace existing equipment with brand new, modern equipment thus enhancing the apprentices’ training experience.”