Alcon's Scholarship scheme

Moore, who founded Alcon in 1983, was the co-designer of the first diaphragm-spring competition clutch, the progenitor of competition clutches still in use today. Alcon MD Alistair Fergusson explained: "John decided earlier this year to end his day-to-day involvement with the company and the directors wanted to recognise his career in an appropriate manner. John has always been keen on nurturing young engineers and we felt that announcing the John Moore Scholarship was a positive and appropriate acknowledgement of his contribution to motorsport engineering. John has agreed to remain as a consultant to Alcon and will be actively involved in working with the college and the successful student."

Moore responded: "It's a wonderful gesture by the directors of Alcon. I appreciate how difficult it is for young people to embark on an engineering career these days, and I'm sure this will be a tremendous encouragement for those considering the Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering course at Tamworth & Lichfield College."

All students who enrol for the one-year, full-time course will be eligible to apply for the scholarship. Each will be asked to complete a short assignment during their first half-term at the college for assessment. Gary Hayward, the head of the college's technology school, noted: "This is a fabulous opportunity for a young aspiring engineer to enjoy financial support during their full time course and, during college vacations, experience at first hand, the working environment of a world-wide respected engineering company. Alcon's initiative illustrates how further education colleges and the commercial sector can work in partnership. The college works closely with industry to ensure all the necessary disciplines are included within the course timetable and, at the request of Alcon, we have added specific units for CNC, CAD and environmental awareness studies.

"The selected student could be studying an mechanical engineering NVQ course from September this year and, 12 months later, he or she could be employed as an advanced apprentice at Alcon, a company supplying brakes to leading F1 teams."