Whizzkid Oliver is on top of the world after passing exam

HE HASN'T even picked his GCSE options yet, but engineering whizzkid Oliver Milnes has become the youngest person in the world to clinch a top-level design qualification.
Oliver Milnes (13) from Whiteley, is the youngest person in the world to achieve a City & Guilds Level 3 AutoCAD qualificationOliver Milnes (13) from Whiteley, is the youngest person in the world to achieve a City & Guilds Level 3 AutoCAD qualification
Oliver Milnes (13) from Whiteley, is the youngest person in the world to achieve a City & Guilds Level 3 AutoCAD qualification

Oliver set a record when he achieved a City & Guilds Level 3 in auto computer-aided design, scooping a distinction grade.

The course has given the youngster industry-level skills in creating advanced 2D drawings and plans and is traditionally taken by draughtsmen – the previous youngest recipient was 18.

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Oliver faced a three-hour exam at Cosham’s Highbury College on his 13th birthday, having previously completed the Level 2 course with his dad.

He said: ‘It was quite annoying doing the exam because all I really wanted to do was go home, eat some cake and watch some Star Wars.

‘But I was really pleased and pretty proud to hear I was the youngest person in the world to have completed it.’

The teenager was inspired to attempt the subject last year when he saw his dad Chris, 51, taking on the Level 2 course.

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The pair took their exams together last year, but Oliver continued alone and took on the next level, studying at night classes after school for nine months.

Proud dad Chris, a production manager for an events company, said he was amazed by his son’s tenacity.

‘As his dad I had that swell of pride seeing his result,’ he said.

‘I had that lump in my throat. It was extraordinary. I helped him but he had to do the exam – every single mouse click and keyboard stroke was his.’

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But he joked Oliver now used his newfound qualification for some friendly family banter.

Chris, of Hanoverian Way, Whiteley, said: ‘It’s rather annoying, he is now more qualified than me. And he hasn’t even chosen his GCSEs yet.’

Oliver added the exam was easy because it was a subject he was ‘really interested in’.

He said: ‘I find other subjects harder. English is not something I enjoy – I’m quite bad at it, I think CAD was easier.’

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Satwant Deol is the managing director of education skills at Highbury. She said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted by Oliver’s incredible achievement.

‘His success in this Level 3 AutoCAD qualification at such a young age is amazing.

‘It will help him to achieve his ambition to be an engineer and will be an inspiration to other young people.’

Oliver took his exam on May 2 this year and received his result in July.

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He was revealed as the world’s youngest holder of the qualification last week.

Since the news, Highbury College has revealed it is sponsoring Fareham Academy’s new robotics club.

Oliver said he wants to pursue a career in engineering.

He lives with dad Chris, mum Jane, 46, and sister Isla, 10.

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