A product developer at Telford manufacturer Fabweld Steel Products is celebrating after beating off tough competition to scoop a prestigious national scholarship.
James Benting has been awarded the Institute of Civil Engineer’s QUEST Technician scholarship for 2012, which will support his studies as he trains to become a structural engineer.
The 26-year-old has already completed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Wolverhampton and won the scholarship following a national selection and interview process.
Managing director of Fabweld Steel Products, Richard Hilton, said: “The QUEST scholarships are associated with excellence, and the ICE was looking for people committed to engineering and who have the potential to excel.
“We have already seen James progress his career path with the KTP, which has given us the expertise to design products in-house and adapt to the changing demands of the marketplace in which we operate.
“We are delighted that James’ hard work has been recognised by an organisation as prestigious as the ICE. It is important that manufacturing firms invest in the training and skills development of their staff, especially as innovation, research and development play such a large part in remaining competitive in our industry.”
Mr Benting, who works with FSP’s research and development team, said: “I started working for FSP ten years ago as a welder on an apprenticeship. It’s fantastic to have been able to progress my career with the company and I’m thrilled to have been awarded the scholarship. I’m currently working towards my HNC in Civil Engineering which will lead on to a BEng Civil Engineering degree.”
Mr Benting’s work was instrumental in the development of FSP’s innovative new manhole cover, the Solo Slide, uses a unique key which allows just one person to lift and move it.
The scholarship has been awarded by the ICE’s Queen’s Jubilee Scholarship Trust, which was set up in 1977 to support and encourage education in civil engineering.
Chairman of ICE West Midlands, Alastair Templeton, added: “These well-respected scholarships and awards are associated with excellence, the selection process is competitive and attracts high-calibre applicants.
“All the candidates we interviewed were very strong and James performed extremely well. We are delighted to have awarded him the scholarship and wish him well for his future career.”