The Department for Education’s Teach in Further Education (FE) campaign joined forces with McLaren Automotive Ltd to host the first-ever Skills Drive competition, an event designed to encourage industry professionals to share their skills through FE teaching and inspire the next generation of talent.
FE teachers and students from Blackpool and Fylde College, Basingstoke College of Technology, and City College Norwich took part in a final challenge, which tested their skills through a series of workstations simulating processes from McLaren’s production line.
Blackpool and Fylde College were named the winners of the Skills Drive. As part of the experience, all three teams toured McLaren’s facility, enjoyed a ride in McLaren supercars, and were awarded a McLaren engineering masterclass for their colleges.
Lecturers Sreekutty Chandrababu and Karen Whiteside, with students Jack Mason, Logan Bennett and Thomas Walton, took the top spot after a final challenge at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, home of McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing.
The Skills Drive competition is designed to encourage skilled industry professionals to share their expertise with young learners and help shape the future workforce by teaching in FE – defined as formal education for those aged 16 and over that is not a degree.
The final saw three teams compete in a series of workstation tasks modelled on processes used in the McLaren Production Centre. After judging by McLaren engineers, Blackpool and the Fylde College won the top prize: an exclusive experience in McLaren’s Shadow Studio esports racing simulator facility.
Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills, congratulated the participants on the day, saying:
“Many congratulations to Blackpool and Fylde College and their student team for winning the Skills Drive final. All finalists demonstrated impressive skill and knowledge, highlighting the important role FE teachers play in preparing students for the workplace. There is a great opportunity for industry professionals to share their expertise and help develop the future workforce through FE teaching. Whether in engineering, automotive, or another sector, FE offers a range of opportunities to match different skills and experience.”
You don’t always need prior teaching qualifications or an academic degree to start teaching in further education. You can complete teacher training on the job, meaning you can begin earning straight away.
If you’re an industry professional interested in sharing your skills and experience with the next generation via FE teaching, visit teachinfurthereducation.education.gov.uk to find out more.