The McLaren Formula One team have partnered with Entain, a global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment group, to launch a programme to help reignite the careers of women returning to roles in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Contract:
- The 'Returnship' programme will offer ten places to work at either McLaren or Entain over a six-month period
- Successful candidates will be offered the opportunity to talk about permanent roles following the programme
Context: With just 26 per cent of STEM graduates being women, McLaren and Entain are addressing the urgent need for change. Applicable candidates would be at least three months unemployed, underemployed or reskilling, have at least two years' prior professional experience, and have STEM focused qualifications or experience or a personal and evidencable passion for technology, data and/or engineering.
Comment: Zak Brown, chief executive of McLaren Racing: “We are excited to be launching the first returnship of its kind within F1 in partnership with Entain. This is an opportunity to drive real change within the engineering and technology industries and is part of our overall commitment to making STEM careers more accessible to all, and to having 40 per cent of our employees from under-represented backgrounds by 2030.”
Consequence: With McLaren Racing committed to having 40 per cent of its workforce from under-represented backgrounds by 2030, work is certainly being done to address the imbalance. Ensuring these changes are made in visible positions is the next challenge, especially on track. We will have to wait and see if the F1 Academy can achieve its goal of getting a female driver to the top level of motorsport.