McLaren Racing marked the end of another successful 60 Scholars programme with an inspiring wrap event at the McLaren Technology Centre. 

The in-person event brought together participants from the second 60 Scholars programme to reflect on and celebrate all they’d achieved over the six-week course.  

With words of wisdom and inspiration from senior leaders from across McLaren Racing and its partners, as well as a surprise message from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, scholars enjoyed a packed schedule of talks and activities that included karting, a pit-stop challenge, and a meet and greet with Cristina Gutiérrez. 

The 60 Scholars programme, delivered with Official Programme Partners Cisco, Deloitte and Google, and Official Learning and Skills Partner Udemy, is part of McLaren Racing’s commitment to actively redress gender disparities in both motorsports and STEM industries. 

Sixty young women aged between 18 and 25 were selected for the programme, which includes mentorship sessions, panel discussions, skills workshops, networking opportunities with racing leaders, and hands-on racing experiences. 

Conscious commitment to diversity 

Reflecting on the success of this year’s programme, McLaren Racing’s Director of Sustainability, Kim Wilson, believes 60 Scholars is proof that harnessing STEM talent doesn’t happen by chance and that it requires a conscious commitment to diversity. 

“One thing that really struck me about this year’s cohort is just how diverse it is in terms of ethnic background, education, class and geography – 82% of scholars were from under-represented backgrounds,” she says. “That’s a real testament to the positive steps we’ve taken to ensure we have a diversity lens on recruitment, and that we reach people who’d benefit from opportunities like this.  

“Talent deserves to be nurtured and it’s not enough to say, ‘we’re not attracting diverse talent’. It really is on us to make a change, and I’m proud that we can demonstrate the impact that a shift in approach can have both on STEM industries and on people’s lives.” 

Partnerships for progress 

The programme has evolved in its second year and the input from partners, who delivered a range of online immersions, has meant that scholars received a well-rounded experience and a comprehensive course that demystifies STEM industries and opens up career pathways. 

“Whether talent is nurtured through independent initiatives or collaborative efforts, the opportunity to work alongside partners provides a much richer experience,” Kim says. “It’s been truly inspiring to see how we’ve come together to create the 60 Scholars programme.” 

Tangible outcomes 

Feedback and progress markers show how much is possible in just six weeks. Each scholar spent an average of 20 hours in live learning and 20 hours on the Udemy platform, showing their dedication to the programme and resulting in significant increases in confidence and their ability to apply their newly developed skills. 

The insights into CV skills and job interviews meant that confidence to craft effective job applications grew from 34% to 92% and their ability to solve complex problems grew from 25% to 92%.   

With the focus on networks and building communities, it’s no surprise that 100% of students reported that they now have access to a supportive community of STEM practitioners, up from 30%. On average, each scholar gained more than 100 new connections and, crucially for fast-paced industries, their ability to identify and explain factors influencing wellbeing grew from 49% to 98%. 

Beyond gender 

McLaren Racing’s commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is one of the four pillars of our sustainability strategy, and we’re working to achieve our target of ensuring 40% of our team come from underrepresented backgrounds by 2030.  

“Currently, about 20% of our workforce is female, and while we’re making great strides in early career recruits – in 2023, 45% of new early career hires were women – it will take time to see this progress reflected in more senior roles.” 

Kim believes programmes like 60 Scholars, which focus on the talent pipeline, are already directly contributing to this target, with six scholars from last year’s cohort finding roles in motorsport – either with McLaren Racing or Extreme E. 

“This is a fantastic result, and we hope to see even better outcomes from this year’s group. I want more women to not only see STEM as a viable career option but also to thrive in traditionally male-dominated roles. Achieving this could accelerate innovation and expand the STEM talent pool. It’s not just about gender diversity, it’s about real, multifaceted diversity. We need to attract women from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to truly move the dial.” 

Follow your passion 

“Follow your passion and get experience,” was the message from Zak Brown in his address to the scholars at the wrap event. 

“Everyone has goals to get to the top, but it does take time and experience. It takes a lot of learning and a lot of mistakes, but never give up. Be sure to work hard and network, because you never know when opportunities will come your way.” 

“You are our future,” he told graduates, as he congratulated them on completing the “awesome programme” that will help them progress in their careers. 

To any young women considering applying for next year’s programme or other STEM opportunities, Kim’s advice is to be unapologetic about their ambitions and communicate them as clearly as possible. 

“If there’s a video option for applications, I’d always suggest sending a video – it’s one of the best ways to show who you are and to demonstrate how much you want the opportunity. Too many of us are afraid to show our enthusiasm and passion, because it can make us feel vulnerable, but by fearlessly being yourself and showing that you’re committed to growing and learning, that’s how organisations know that you’re a worthwhile investment.” 

With the course now complete, Kim is excited to find out what’s in store for the scholars. 

“The graduates are clearly motivated, and companies like McLaren have a responsibility to harness that energy. My interactions have shown me just how enthusiastic and driven they are and it’s really important that they continue to nurture and build their networks, and that we maintain connections with them to follow and support their progress, however we can. I’m excited to see what they achieve next in their careers.”