Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy Launched to Discover and Develop the Brightest and Best Young Talent

Williams Racing and its Principal Partner Komatsu are excited to announce the launch of the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy.

Published

05 SEP 2024

Est. reading time

4 min

Williams Racing and its Principal Partner Komatsu are excited to announce the launch of the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy, a global initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of engineering talent. This prestigious programme will select promising STEM students and provide them with unmatched mentorship and support throughout their educational journey.

For 2025 the Academy will offer 10 high-potential STEM students a unique first step on the ladder towards an exciting career within the engineering and motorsport industries. By joining the Academy, students will gain invaluable experience and insights, benefiting from the combined expertise and resources of both Komatsu and Williams Racing.

The Academy’s first group of students will be selected in collaboration with F1 in Schools, a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting STEM education. Students aged 16 and above attending the 2024 F1 in Schools World Final in Saudi Arabia this November will be invited to apply for a place in the Academy assessment centre, where Williams and Komatsu will jointly narrow applicants down to the 10 lucky students who will form the first cohort.

Those chosen for the Academy will have access to a range of benefits designed to support their growth and career development over multiple years including:

Early career opportunities: Access to work experience internships, apprenticeships and graduate roles across Komatsu and Williams

Williams employee mentorship: Quarterly sessions with a Williams engineer, offering personalised guidance and industry insights

Online learning platform: Access to educational modules and tasks related to Formula 1, providing a solid foundation for engineering principles

Exclusive experiences: A comprehensive programme focused on community building, learning and networking opportunities across both Williams and Komatsu

The Academy experience will be tailored based on the educational level at entry, ensuring each student receives support that aligns with their academic journey.

The Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy builds on the legacy of previous successful Williams academies and is part of the team’s long-standing commitment to opening up access to Formula 1. Three members of the last cohort, which was in 2019 due to the COVID pandemic, secured Industrial Placement opportunities at Williams, with two being offered graduate roles within the Vehicle Design department upon completing their degrees in 2025. The Komatsu-Williams partnership now revives this successful programme with seven existing members being honoured and transitioned to the new Academy structure.

Williams also runs a STEM education programme which will bring 5,000 schoolchildren to the team’s Grove HQ free of charge throughout 2024 to introduce them to the prospect of STEM careers through the lens of motorsport. Similarly, Komatsu invests in and contributes to STEM and technical programming around the world, with the goal of empowering students and supporting local communities.

James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing: “I’m pleased that we’re launching the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy because discovering and developing the brightest and best talent regardless of background is something I hold close to my heart. We have a duty and responsibility to invest in future generations and support them to succeed. I know how powerful that can be as someone who was given a chance at the start of my career. This Academy will help both Williams and Komatsu find the future talent that will form the bedrock of our organisations, and is another demonstration of the beliefs we both share.”

Hiroyuki Ogawa, President and CEO, Komatsu Ltd.: “Komatsu’s commitment to developing future generations dates back more than 100 years, to our founding. As a global company of 64,000, with thousands of employees in engineering and technical roles, we believe it is our duty to foster new generations of talent to support the continued advancement of our industries. We are proud to collaborate with Williams Racing on this important initiative to support students’ advancement toward STEM careers and excited to see what the future holds.”

Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman F1 in Schools: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Williams Racing and Komatsu on the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy. For over 24 years, F1 in Schools has been inspiring students through our global STEM challenge, and this partnership builds on our longstanding commitment to nurturing young talent. A decade after launching the first academy at the F1 in Schools World Finals in Abu Dhabi in 2014, we are proud to reignite this programme alongside Williams Racing and Komatsu. This initiative reflects our shared vision of making motorsport more inclusive and accessible, by breaking down barriers, fostering diverse talent, and driving social change. We are confident that the Academy will not only shape the future of motorsport but also empower young people across the globe to excel in STEM, motorsport, and beyond.”

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