McLaren Racing today announced 60 Scholars, a new initiative to encourage and support the next generation of female leaders in STEM. Named to mark the team’s 60th anniversary this year, the programme aims to empower 60 aspiring female leaders of tomorrow and open up pathways to a career in STEM.

60 Scholars will be an integral part of McLaren’s overall sustainability strategy, and together with its partners, Google, Cisco and Cadence, McLaren Racing will develop an exclusive series of masterclasses designed to inspire and equip successful candidates with the knowledge for a future in STEM. Applications for the 60 Scholars programme will be open on the McLaren Racing careers website from 29 May.

Key elements of the programme include:

• Applications are open to UK-based female STEM students aged 18 to 23 to participate in a series of masterclasses focusing on a specific area of expertise

• The 60 successful applicants will be taken through an accelerated course of learning, mentorship and experience with McLaren Racing and its partners

• Female students will be able to apply through the McLaren Racing Careers site from 29 May for a period of two weeks

• The programme kicks off with a virtual welcome event hosted live from the McLaren Technology Centre to introduce successful candidates to the course

• In addition to a programme of learning, 60 Scholars will offer participants a network of peers and experts to support them on their career trajectory

• The programme will be delivered in collaboration with Official Partners Google, Cisco and Cadence

Kate O’Hara-Hatchley, Head of Diversity, Early Careers & Development, said:

“Offering a route for young people – especially young women – to get into STEM careers is extremely important to us at McLaren. That’s why we’re excited to launch 60 Scholars, together with partners who share our passion for nurturing the talent of the future. We are especially delighted to be offering this to female students across the UK, raising awareness of the need to create a diverse and inclusive workforce.”

The announcement coincides with the publication of McLaren’s annual Sustainability Report, which aims to provide transparent, robust and comprehensive reporting on McLaren’s economic, environmental and social impacts.

In 2022, 33% of new starters came from underrepresented backgrounds, McLaren’s STEM Ambassadors reached over 4,000 students across 36 events, and over 200 managers participated in inclusive recruitment and onboarding training. McLaren also launched its first returnship scheme to support women getting back into the technology and engineering industries.

Read the full Sustainability Report here.