King's School young engineer Ben McIlveen hopes to use his Arkwright Scholarship as the first step towards a career pioneering the new industrial revolution. The hard-working 16-year-old has won a prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship and will receive £300 for each of his two years in the top Macclesfield school.
Bright spark Ben, who got a superb set of three 8s, four 7s and three 6s in his GCSEs wants to study engineering at Sheffield University and then work on the latest robotics technology.
Now studying A Level Computer Science, Maths and Physics in the King's Sixth Form, Ben said: "I am very interested in computer programming and know we are part way through a new revolution every bit as exciting as Arkwright's pioneering work and that machinery will be able to do more roles more cheaply and efficiently in the very near future."
He added: "I don't think it is a process that can be halted and it's important Britain is at the forefront if we want to lead in high-end manufacturing."
Ben was one of over 2,000 applicants nationwide to undertake the rigorous selection process, first submitting a written application and then attending an interview and displaying the bionic hand he made on one of King's 3D printers.
As well as his scholarship money, Ben will receive support for projects, a personal mentor from industry while at school and university and valuable opportunities for hands on work experience.
The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships programme is the most prestigious scheme of its type in the UK and aims to identify, inspire and nurture future leaders in engineering, computer & technical design. Named in honour of one of the founding fathers of the Industrial Revolution, businessman and inventor Sir Richard Arkwright, the scholarship programme aims to ensure that Britain's engineering heritage is also part of its future.
Chair of the Arkwright Scholarships Trust Linda Scott said: "Our objective is to identify talented and committed 15-and-16-year-old students and fire their enthusiasm for a career in engineering, technology, maths and science."
The King's School's Head of Design & Technology, Jeremy Nichols said: "The Arkwright award goes to highly talented students who impress both through their technical skills and their passion for engineering. Ben is an inventive, imaginative and hard-working student with the vision to go far."