McLaren Manufacturing Challenge final launches McLaren’s ‘Skills Week’ 2014

•    Local students to be given a tour of the McLaren Technology Centre and meet engineers from across McLaren Group

•    The McLaren Manufacturing Challenge is now in its fourth year

•    Competition held as part of government’s See Inside Manufacturing campaign, and timed to coincide with McLaren’s ‘Skills Week’



The McLaren Group will welcome students to the McLaren Technology Centre to compete in the 2014 McLaren Manufacturing Challenge grand final today.


Seven teams of students from local schools will take part in the Challenge, which aims to get 13-16 year olds enthused about engineering and manufacturing by challenging them to design and build the quickest motor-less vehicle.


As part of the grand final, students will also be given a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life as a McLaren engineer with exclusive tours of the McLaren Technology Centre – where McLaren’s Formula 1 cars and range of high-performance road cars are made.


Spokespeople from across the Group, including graduate engineers from McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive’s Head of Powertrain, Richard Farquhar, will be on hand to explain what motivated them to consider a career in engineering and the range of stimulating roles available within the field.


The McLaren Manufacturing Challenge forms part of the Government’s See Inside Manufacturing campaign which aims to encourage young people to view engineering as a rewarding and viable career choice, while also increasing awareness of the importance of a strong manufacturing base to the future UK economy. It is the fourth year that the McLaren Group, as a founding partner of the campaign, has run the Challenge.


Ron Dennis, Chief Executive and Chairman of McLaren Group, and Chairman of McLaren Automotive said: “The UK has a rich heritage in manufacturing and engineering and it’s no surprise that the majority of the Formula 1 industry is based here.


There is huge opportunity for the UK to build on our world-leading science and innovation to deliver growth. But we need to encourage the brightest and best young talent to study science and maths, and to take up technical careers, if we hope to achieve our potential.


“McLaren is committed to working with government to demonstrate the exciting face of modern manufacturing and engineering, which is high-tech, highly skilled and highly rewarding.


“Initiatives such as the McLaren Manufacturing Challenge, and now McLaren’s ‘Skills Week’, will hopefully inspire the next generation of designers and engineers, which will in turn support future growth.” 


Today’s event has been timed to coincide with McLaren’s ‘Skills Week’, which will be running until Friday 14th November. The campaign features a week of social media and digital activity designed to highlight why a skilled workforce sits at the heart of the UK’s prosperity.


It also aims to promote the diversity of the engineering sector and the rewarding career options available for those continuing in their STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) studies. Followers of McLaren’s ‘Skills Week’ should visit McLaren Group’s Twitter page (@McLarenGroup) and use the hashtag #McLarenSkills for updates.



Matt Bishop     -