This year there are 12 Scholars and 9 Award Holders. Awards are granted to young engineering apprentices embarking on an engineering degree. Scholarships are granted to those that have completed both an apprenticeship and a degree and are now working engineers.

Mr Hope said that the new engineering related vocational GCSEs and Foundation Degrees are creating pathways to Higher Education for all young people interested in engineering.

"Encouraging greater numbers of people to go into engineering and to take up apprenticeships is something the DfES is delighted to support, " he added.

IMechE President, Andrew Ives, told Radio 4's In Business programme that the Institution would be working more closely with schools in a bid to encourage more children to go into engineering.

SEMTA (Science, Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology Alliance) is also a strong supporter of the awards.

Ian Carnell, Frameworks manager, said: "SEMTA has more Advanced Apprentices in engineering training than many other sectors and we view new entrants as crucial. This scheme is a great step in encouraging more young engineers into the profession and highlights the importance of apprenticeships in our society today."

Sir Joseph Whitworth (1803-87) has been dubbed Britain's best ever mechanical engineer, world famous for the standard screw thread named after him, revolutionary machine tools and hexagonally rifled guns. His legacy to encourage and support engineering apprentices began in 1868 as an awards scheme designed to bring science/engineering and industry closer together.

www.imeche.org.uk.