9 October 2026 10:00 (UTC)
How McLaren Racing and its partners helped empower 25 young women in STEM through hands-on learning, mentorship and networking
Twenty-five exceptional young women in STEM were brought together for a week of immersive learning, inspiration and career exploration, concluding with a graduation at the McLaren Technology Centre.
NEXT returned for its second year, continuing its mission to inspire and support the next generation of STEM talent.
Aimed at breaking down barriers and supporting this next generation, the programme was run in collaboration with three industry-leading partners, Cisco, Schneider Electric, and Allwyn, who supported participants through immersive workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities and mentorship sessions.
The participants spent five days developing practical, transferrable skills designed to help them thrive as their careers progress, while building a powerful professional network of peers and mentors who could become a lasting source of support and inspiration.
The entirely in-person, week-long programme was hosted at our Woking-based factory, the McLaren Technology Centre, and our programme partners' London-based offices.
One of the programme's primary aims was to improve participants' awareness of STEM pathways and provide a better understanding of the career opportunities available to them.
We achieved this by connecting participants with experienced professionals from across McLaren Racing and our programme partners, offering insight into different career journeys, roles and opportunities across engineering, technology, sustainability and business.
At Cisco, participants explored how technology supports high-performance environments through employee panels, career conversations, and insight into the McLaren Racing partnership. The sessions highlighted the role digital skills play across industries, while providing practical advice on careers, networking, and future opportunities in technology.
The programme also gave participants an opportunity to explore sustainability and innovation during a dedicated day with Schneider Electric. Through career stories and a customer-focused fireside discussion, participants gained insight into how STEM skills can be applied to solve real-world challenges and how technology can help support a more sustainable future.
At Allwyn, we shifted the focus to personal development, leadership, and career growth. Through a Q&A session with McLaren Mastercard Performance Engineer Amelia Lewis and a series of workshops, participants were encouraged to look beyond technical expertise and explore learning agility, business acumen, commercial awareness, and personal brand-building. The sessions highlighted the value of embracing opportunities and recognising that career journeys are rarely linear.
As our Official Hotel Partner, Hilton supported participants throughout the week by providing a home away from home at its Woking hotel for all five days of the programme, ensuring participants had a comfortable and supportive base from which to take part in the week's activities, learning opportunities and networking experiences.
Back at the McLaren Technology Centre, participants experienced a range of sessions spanning engineering, technology, sustainability and high performance. Activities included a High Performance Culture workshop, sustainability discussions, and a Women in STEM panel.
The group also put their skills to the test with a Pit-Stop Challenge, race strategy simulation sessions, and a project-based challenge delivered throughout the week.
Communication and networking were critical themes woven through every part of the NEXT Programme, encouraging participants to build relationships with their peers, mentors and experts across McLaren Racing and our partners.
The week culminated in participant project presentations, a leadership panel featuring representatives from McLaren Racing and programme partners, and a graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of the cohort. The final presentations were attended by McLaren Racing F1 Academy driver, Ella Lloyd.
Following the completion of the programme, the 25 participants will now look to take the next step in their careers, using the lessons they've learnt and the peers and mentors they've met as a springboard for future success.
As McLaren Racing continues to evolve the NEXT Programme, we are committed to creating opportunities that inspire and support the next generation of STEM talent.
