The legacy of Sir Joseph Whitworth lives on, thanks to the Whitworth Scholarship Awards, the scheme which supports outstanding qualified apprentices through degree study and aims to identify future leaders of industry in the form of Chartered Engineers.
A master of precision, best known for the development of the standardised screw thread and the Whitworth Rifle, Sir Joseph Whitworth was the first industrialist to introduce larger and more economical units of mass production in his machine-tool and armaments factories, and it was Sir Joseph who, in 1880, persuaded the Board of Trade to adopt standard measures. His true plane surfaces still form the basis of modern industrial and mechanical engineering.
In 1868 Sir Joseph, himself a former apprentice, founded an engineering scholarship to assist technicians and apprentices wishing to pursue an academic engineering degree. Today, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers administers the trust fund, and invites those with a minimum of two years’ study as an apprentice, and who have been accepted on a degree course, to apply for the £4,500 per year scholarship. Successful scholars are also eligible to join the Whitworth Society.
Terry Chivers, Chairman of the Whitworth Awards Panel, outlined the qualities of character that an applicant must display: “These historic awards help to promote the legacy of Sir Joseph Whitworth. We are looking for high quality, ambitious former apprentices, who want to go on and develop their abilities at university. They will benefit from the award and from the prestige of being recognised, within the engineering community, as a Whitworth Scholar.”
“Candidates may already have begun their degree, or they may choose to study part time. Either of these cases is fine; as is full-time study. Age, experience and financial circumstances do not preclude the making of an award. What is necessary is that candidates have secured their place on an accredited course that will meet the academic requirements for CEng and can demonstrate the drive and desire to extend their knowledge for the benefit of engineering.”
Terry continued: “We’re looking for people who will go out into industry and become leaders through their engineering achievements. They want to make a difference through engineering. Thirteen Whitworth Scholars have even gone on to become presidents of the Institution.”
Howard Stone, a Fellow of the Institution and former president of the Whitworth Society, estimates that there are only about 300 Whitworth Scholars across the world. Howard, who trained as an apprentice and achieved exceptional results on qualification, became a Whitworth Scholar in the late 1990s, after studying for a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Southampton. He explained how there is a narrow window of opportunity to engage the right candidates, and how professional engineers across all sectors can help put forward people for the award: “Our market, as such, is diminishing, as there are fewer apprenticeships available compared with past decades. So we rely on the awards being flagged up by word of mouth. Often we receive applications from people who work in companies that have Whitworth Scholars, so they have a peer or role model to connect with. In addition, what we would like is for apprenticeship training supervisors to put the information out to their trainees, and to target recent EngTechs and Incorporated Engineers.”
He added: “In my work I am able to understand what’s going on at all levels of a project, from the mechanical elements to the business consultancy end. That’s what you gain from being a Scholar. Having worked through the basics enriches what you do higher up.”
Terry endorsed the sentiments that Howard raised, in a call-to-action to all engineers: “You may know someone who would be a strong candidate for the scholarship. If so, please encourage them to apply. Every organisation has its bright sparks: we ask you to feed the scholarship a broad range of applicants, all of whom have achieved highly so far, and have the strength of character and nature to make a difference for the benefit of engineering world-wide.”
Surprisingly, Terry is not a Whitworth Scholar; though he served a five-year apprenticeship and went on to gain a degree. After becoming involved in local activities for the Western Region for the Institution, he was invited to join the Whitworth Awards Panel, which he now chairs.
Interested parties may obtain an application form from the Institution’s website and must provide references which are, in all cases, taken up. Short-listed candidates attend an interview with the Whitworth Awards Panel. It is then that, in many cases, the qualities that make a Whitworth Scholar shine out: a heady but demonstrable mix of drive, commitment, strength of character and old-fashioned gumption.
“Above all else, it’s the quality of candidates that we have to sustain,” said Howard. “Those who get through the application process, the shortlist, the panel scores, debates and discussions, and then the interviews, have endured a long and involved process. They have shown that they are switched-on and can make a difference. On completion of their course each graduate is considered by the Awards Panel for election to Whitworth Scholar. This entitles them to use the initials Wh.Sch. after their name. Scholars receive an individually engraved medal and are invited to join the Whitworth Society. It is formal recognition from their peers that they have learned great perspective about engineering and, in truth, it’s an honour.”
Howard summarised: “Each candidate that comes through should be as good as the last – or better. We should always be seeing the standard improve.”
Commemorating Sir Joseph Whitworth
A blue plaque to commemorate Sir Joseph Whitworth’s achievements has been unveiled at the site where he served his apprenticeship at Amber Mill, in Oakerthorpe, Derbyshire. The small ceremony was witnessed by Professor Gillian Cook, president of the Whitworth Society, Geoffrey Ward and other members of the Whitworth Society, and Councillor Andrew Lewer, of Derbyshire County Council. The plaque is situated at The Wheelhouse, and was unveiled in December 2012.
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