A group of head teachers and career advisers were today given a behind-the-scenes tour of the McLaren Technology Centre as part of the Government’s ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ Campaign.
The initiative is aimed at encouraging young people to see engineering as an exciting career choice whilst increasing awareness of the how important a strong manufacturing base is to the UK economy.
“We've seen a worrying decline in our industrial base over the past two decades and this alarming trend must be reversed if we're to create a more stable and prosperous future for our country,” said Ron Dennis, executive chairman at McLaren. “Changing the perception of manufacturing and engineering amongst students represents a critical first step in this process so I lend my full support to the 'See Inside Manufacturing' initiative.
“I have no doubt that the bright young engineers working on our Formula 1 and sports car projects will show that Britain's automotive sector still retains some of the best manufacturing and engineering talent in the world.”
Business Secretary Vince Cable talked about the importance of the scheme from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills:
“The See Inside Manufacturing programme is an important step in giving teachers and careers advisers the opportunity to see first-hand the essential role that industry plays across the UK to help us achieve the sort of sustainable and balanced economic growth that the country needs,” he said.
“The Government is investing in more apprenticeships than ever before. Together with industry we must inspire more young people to see manufacturing and engineering as a viable and exciting career choice.
“We also need to ensure that UK manufacturing can take on its competitors head on and make the next decade one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial periods in our history.”
During the tour, the teachers and career advisers were able to see McLaren Automotives’ new sports car, the MP4-12C, being built, and met some of McLaren’s young graduates.
Stuart Shephard, Headteacher at Bishop David Brown School in Woking, was very impressed by what he saw during the tour: “Seeing inside the McLaren Technology Centre is a unique and incredibly impressive experience that would inspire any student to pursue a career in engineering.
“In a time of great uncertainty for young people, the image and ethos that McLaren portrays is the kind of motivational benchmark that all of us should aspire to. The company has a wealth of young people who have joined through different pathways. Sharing these stories with students will offer them enormous encouragement and show that anything is possible”.
