16th October 2018
The Marine Engineering department at South Devon College is celebrating the success of former student Jake Cronk in earning the acclaimed Whitworth Scholarship Award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
Former South Devon College and present University of Plymouth Student Jake Cronk with Brian Coaker (left), President of the Whitworth Society, and IMechE President Tony Roche (right)
Driven by his own ambition in becoming a motorsport engineer, add to this his love for Formula 1, Jake (27 from Torquay) has continued to show exceptional progression in the mechanical engineering field.
Earlier this year Jake fulfilled a lifelong dream in completing a work placement with the Mercedes Formula 1 team, working alongside world-class engineers and Formula 1 world champions Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
Jake with F1 star Lewis Hamilton
It’s Jake’s already impressive experiences that have gone a long way in helping him to secure the prestigious scholarship award. The award will continue to open doors for Jake, helping with funding of studies, membership to the Whitworth Society and creating important networking opportunities with fellow outstanding engineers across the UK.
After studying Marine Engineering at South Devon College, Jake completed an apprenticeship and progressed on to the University of Plymouth to Study MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering. Now in the final year of his degree, Jake was presented with his award during an event in London hosted by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
When asked for his thoughts on receiving the award, Jake said, “It is brilliant to be awarded this scholarship and it will obviously be a huge help in the final year of my studies. But it will also provide me with a series of opportunities to meet experienced engineers who could potentially support me in my career going forward. I want to work in Formula 1 and hopefully the scholarship will help take me a step nearer to that goal.”
After completion of his degree, Jake is now focusing on returning to the Mercedes team next year in a graduate role.
Jake alongside former F1 star Nico Rosberg
Open to entry for former apprentices, the Whitworth Scholarships Awards enable outstanding engineers who have excellent academic and practical skills and the qualities needed to succeed in industry, to take an engineering degree-level programme in any engineering discipline.
To find out more about wide variety of courses the College offers from apprenticeships to full-time courses or university degrees, visit our next Open Evening, on Wednesday 21st November, 4pm-7pm at the Vantage Point Campus, Long Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EJ. Alternatively, you can call our Helpzone team on 08000 380 123 or email [email protected]
For more information about this story please contact Guy Marsden, Marketing & Communications Officer at [email protected] or on 01803 540563.