Jake Niall Cronk
MEng, MIMechE, WhSch
Graduate Mechanical Engineer – Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains
“It really is exciting to have been nominated by the panel to be worthy of such an accolade” says Jake Niall Cronk, the winner of the 2019 Whitworth Visionary Award.
The IMechE’s Whitworth Scholarship is given each year to the brightest and most tenacious apprentices who wish to study on a higher education course in an engineering field. On completion, they become members of the Whitworth Society. Jake, who is ambitious and determined to achieve great things in engineering, is a deserving recipient of the scholarship and winner of this year’s award.
From a small boatyard in Devon to a budding career in Formula 1 engineering, Jake’s trajectory shows how determination and skill can lead to great things. Jake entered the profession as an apprentice at a boat dealership near Plymouth where he honed his skills in marine propulsion engineering. There he completed his three-and-a-half-year apprenticeship alongside his NVQ which he received in 2013. However, he knew his real passion lies in “cars, motorcycles and all things fast” and so he aimed high – for a career in Formula 1.
“With an aim to work in Formula 1, I believed that I had to fully commit myself to professional qualifications to make my goals attainable” he explains. To do so, he enrolled on an MEng course at the University of Plymouth. His academic career was a real success, and he averaged 80% in each year of his studies, culminating in a first-class honours degree this summer. Jake’s year in industry saw him land a dream role at Mercedes’ Formula 1 Powertrain facilities in the East Midlands. The exposure confirmed his passion for F1 and he was accepted onto a graduate rotation scheme at the company which he started this September.
Jake says he was honoured to receive the Whitworth Scholarship during the final year of his degree, and the financial support was invaluable as he and his wife prepared to move to his job at Mercedes. Receiving the scholarship also provided plenty of exposure for him and his university. The award saw him receive attention in the local press and he received a letter of congratulations from his MP.
He also hopes that the media exposure around his reception of the award will “inspire training apprentices or current university students who have undertaken an apprenticeship to apply for this year’s Whitworth Award if they too decide to pursue higher education”.
Dr Y M Dai, Jake’s university tutor sees him as a worthy winner of the scholarship and acceptance to the Whitworth Society, describing him as an “exceptional student”. Throughout his six years studying at Plymouth University, Dr Dai says Jake “has shown excellent academic prowess, engineering competency and leadership”.
In the coming years, Jake hopes to further broaden his skillset through his membership of the IMechE and becoming a full member. He also plans to “become a chartered engineer in a prompt timescale”. Looking further ahead, he is interested in entrepreneurialism and finds the idea of becoming self-employed attractive. “I believe that I have the ability to achieve great things and will endeavour to fulfil my potential. I would like to become management within engineering in the next five years with the goal to hone the skills required to become self-employed in the future”.
The Whitworth Scholarship and Visionary Award are aimed at tenacious and intelligent apprentices to support them through their studies. With his drive and ambition, Jake is a natural and welcome member of the Whitworth Society.