'Skills Drive' competition launched by McLaren and the Department for Education

The competition aims to fuel a passion among industry professionals to teach in further education, share their skills, and accelerate the next generation of talent.  

Engineering and automotive FE teachers from across England are encouraged to enter by February 25, 2025, showcasing how they share their skills to inspire their students. Applicants will be in with a chance of competing in an exclusive final at McLaren’s Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking - home to supercar manufacturer McLaren Automotive and the McLaren Formula 1 team. 

Three shortlisted FE teachers will be invited to form a team of students to take to the final stage. All finalists will be invited to MTC for a tour of McLaren’s iconic headquarters and to take part in a series of challenges to determine the winning team. 

The Department for Education’s Teach in Further Education (FE) campaign, in association with McLaren Automotive, is designed to inspire more industry professionals across the engineering and automotive sectors, and beyond, to consider sharing their skills through teaching in FE. The partners said that industry professionals don’t always need prior teaching qualifications or an academic degree to start teaching in further education, emphasising that many can often complete teacher training on the job.

In a statement, Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith, said: “Fuelling the next generation of talent through excellent further education teaching is vital to drive forward our country’s most successful industries.  

“FE teaching offers experienced professionals a chance to shift gear and inspire the future workforce in their field. We’re excited to work with McLaren to celebrate the nation's brilliant FE teachers and inspire more to join them.”  

Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive, added: “Our people are our greatest assets. At McLaren we are committed to building a pipeline of talent and work extensively with FE colleges on the skills we need now and for the future. We’re excited to be partnering with the Teach in Further Education campaign to deliver the Skills Drive competition and celebrate the brilliant FE teachers from across the country who work to nurture and drive talent into our innovative sector.” 

If you’re an automotive or engineering FE teacher in England interested in entering the Skills Drive competition, visit McLaren Skills Drive Challenge to find out more and apply. Entries close on February 25, 2025, at 5pm.