McLaren Automotive Launches Inaugural Engineering Apprenticeship

McLaren Automotive first Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme Image Credit: McLaren Media

McLaren Automotive has launched its first Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme. The three-year NVQ Level 3 apprenticeship program, introduced a year ahead of schedule, complements the company’s existing graduate and work placement programs. An initial intake of 15 apprentices will be employed, with the potential of more to follow afterwards.

McLaren Automotive first Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme Image Credit: McLaren Media

Initially, the apprenticeship scheme will focus on production engineering and will see apprentices getting hands-on experience at the McLaren Production Centre while being supervised by experienced technicians. Apprentices will complete a program of training that includes gaining knowledge of vehicle assembly techniques, fabrication and machine tools as well as an understanding of how to interpret data, problem solve and develop process documentation. To enhance their learning, the apprentices will work on a day-release basis at a number of local colleges, working towards the nationally-recognized NVQ Level 3 qualification in Automotive Engineering. Investigations are also underway into apprenticeships within the Product Development area at the McLaren Technology Centre.

McLaren Automotives Chief Executive Officer, Mike Flewitt, commented: ‘Since McLaren Automotive launched its first product in 2011, we’ve created significant success by building some of the world’s finest sports and supercars. But to create these cars, we have also built a strong team of committed, competent and passionate people. And key to the future success of the company is recruiting young, talented and highly-motivated en
gineers and an important part of that is apprenticeships.  

He continued: ‘Apprenticeships have always been in our plan but I’m delighted to be able to launch them a year earlier than anticipated, thanks to unprecedented demand at the McLaren Production Centre for our cars. Apprenticeships enable McLaren to develop and nurture talented individuals from an early age, helping us engineer the technologies of the future. Only in this way will we ensure that we stay ahead of the competition and build the world’s best driver’s cars in the future too. ’