College Automotive team secure second place in Skills Drive final at McLaren
31st March 2025
The City College Norwich automotive team secured a fantastic second place spot in the Skills Drive final at The McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.
The Skills Drive competition aims to fuel a passion among industry professionals to teach in further education (FE), share their skills, and accelerate the next generation of talent.
Lauren Halls, City College Norwich Curriculum Lead for Engineering and Automotive, was selected as one of only three FE teacher-led teams in the final competition, joined by her students Sasha Cator, Keelan Tompkins and Jack Reynolds who took part in three challenges related to the production line, mirroring tasks performed by McLaren engineers.
As a reward for reaching the final, the team experienced a lap around McLaren’s iconic Lake Drive in a McLaren supercar and won a McLaren engineering masterclass for college. While Blackpool and The Fylde College were awarded the top spot on the podium, the City College team put up tough competition, making it a hard decision for the McLaren engineers judging the final.
Lauren said: “We had a fantastic time at the final, learning about the history of the McLaren, seeing their production centre in action and experiencing a lap of the iconic Lake Drive in a McLaren supercar. It’s a day my students and I will never forget. While we didn’t take the top prize, being a part of the final challenge was a victory in itself and I’m really proud of how the team performed.
"Teaching in further education is all about bridging the gap between theory and practical experience. Industry experience is highly valued in further education teaching to help learners develop not just their technical skills, but also critical thinking and the problem-solving mindset that employers value. I’d encourage engineers and automotive professionals across the country to consider teaching in further education and help prepare a pipeline of talent for their sector.”
The competition showcases FE teachers' vital role in sharing their skills to inspire other industry professionals to consider teaching in FE. Industry professionals' experience and skills are highly valued in FE. By passing on their knowledge to future talent, professionals can help shape the future of their sector’s workforce, ensuring a strong workforce for tomorrow.
Michael Leiters, Chief Executive Officer at McLaren Automotive said: “We hope that all our finalists have found their experience both fun and memorable, but also an experience that has inspired them to think about a future in automotive engineering. I would like to thank all those further education teachers who entered this year’s competition. Your drive to create the next generation of automotive talent is vital to the future of our exciting industry.”
Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith said: “All finalists demonstrated their skill and knowledge while competing in the final challenges, showcasing the brilliant job FE teachers do to prepare their students to enter the workforce. Skills matter to this country, and to this government. They are key to achieving our mission to spread opportunity by raising workers’ skills and earning power. We need industry professionals to help support the pipeline of talent for the sector, by sharing their knowledge through teaching in FE. Whether it’s engineering, automotive, or any other industry - whatever your skills and experience, there’s likely a course in FE to match them.”
If you’re an industry professional interested in sharing your skills and experience with the next generation through FE teaching, take a look at our current vacancies or visit the Teach in Further Education website to find out more.