The John Jarrold Trust has supported thirteen Arkwright Scholars from Norfolk schools since 1997. Arkwright Scholarships are aimed at encouraging young people to consider engineering and technical design related careers and support the scholars in their sixth form years. These scholarships are the most prestigious in this field in the UK.

Scholars go through a rigorous application process administered by the Arkwright Trust. This year’s John Jarrold Trust scholar is Toby Trett, a student at Wymondham College. Toby is studying physics, chemistry, maths and design technology and aspires to become an engineer in the automotive sector as he is particularly interested in the aerodynamics of high performance vehicles.

This year, the Arkwright Trust awarded 410 scholarships across the UK – a record number.

Dr Martin Thomas, Chief Executive of the Arkwright Scholarships Trust said: “Numerous learned reports have shown that the UK’s economic prosperity requires hundreds of thousands of new engineers and technical designers over the next few years. But we must recognise that numbers, alone, will not ensure our country’s future economic success. We also need some of these new engineers and designers to be modern-day Sir Richard Arkwrights or James Dysons – outstanding technical leaders able to guide their country to engineering success. Arkwright Engineering Scholarships help to develop this pipeline of top talent into the engineering profession.”

The Scholarships consist of an annual financial award to each Scholar and to his/her school, and a range of enrichment activities, such as mentoring and industry visits, that enhance a Scholar’s experience of engineering and technical design in a real-world context. Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are highly regarded by universities and industry and are one of the most prestigious accolades that a talented sixth form student can achieve.

The Scholarships are supported by universities, companies, professional institutions, trade associations, Worshipful Companies, the armed services, charitable trusts and personal donors.

For more information about the Arkwright Trust visit http://www.arkwright.org.uk/

The picture shows Toby Trett receiving his award from Gary Vanstone, past Chairman of the Arkwright Trust.