Prime Minister John Key has opened the 2012 Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships and is calling for applications from ambitious executives looking to expand their international expertise. The scholarships are designed to build business capability and develop skills, particularly in management and international business leadership.

“As part of growing our economy we need to develop better management skills to get the best out of our workforce. Better managers mean more productive firms,” says the Prime Minister. “Getting access to the best knowledge from the world’s best schools can only benefit our senior executives and the companies to which they return.”

The scholarships give New Zealand’s senior managers, business owners and executives an opportunity to attend world-class learning institutions, and cover 50 per cent of costs associated with studying at an international business school, including course fees, airfares, accommodation, and other costs such as textbooks.

Applications close on 31 July 2012.

For more information go to www.med.govt.nz/scholarships.