Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy announces its Class of 2025

· Ten exceptional young engineers will join Atlassian Williams Racing and Komatsu’s global engineering initiative.

· They will receive access to exclusive early careers opportunities, mentorship, and trackside and factory experiences.

· The students were selected from among the 2025 STEM Racing finalists in Singapore.

Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy – the global initiative designed to discover and develop the next generation of engineering talent – has announced its Class of 2025 at the STEM Racing Global Final in Singapore.

The 10-strong cohort will receive access to exceptional early careers opportunities, mentorship from Atlassian Williams Racing and Komatsu team members, exclusive trackside and factory experiences, plus engineering and STEM modules via an online learning platform. This support will be offered over the duration of their academic career, from school studies to degree level.

They will mark the start of their journey in the Academy with a visit to the Singapore Grand Prix paddock this weekend. The Class of 2024, which was selected in November last year, welcomed ten students from nine different countries. The students have already completed the first modules of their online engineering programmes, built relationships with their mentors, and visited the Williams factory, as part of their first year in the Academy.

The ten scholars were selected from the pool of STEM Racing Global finalists. Previously known as F1 in Schools, STEM Racing is a prestigious global competition which challenges 9- to 19-year-olds to design, manufacture and race a miniature F1 car. The competition attracts more than 1.8 million participants from over 60 countries every year.

The Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy is part of both organisations’ commitment to supporting early careers and helping exceptional talent to grow and thrive in motorsport roles.

Today, 12% of the Atlassian Williams Racing team are in Early Careers programmes, like apprenticeships, industrial placements, or graduate schemes, as the team invests in talent as part of its plan to return to the front of the grid.

Likewise, since coming on board as a Principal Partner at the start of the 2024 season, Komatsu’s unwavering dedication to nurturing future engineering talent made them the perfect partner for this programme. With apprenticeship opportunities offered at Komatsu subsidiaries around the world, the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy bolsters the global manufacturer’s commitment to its young workforce.

James Vowles, Team Principal, Atlassian Williams Racing: “Here at Atlassian Williams Racing, we are committed to finding and supporting the talent of tomorrow – wherever they come from and whatever stage they are in their academic career. The Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy is an integral part of this project, and I look forward to welcoming our new cohort at the paddock in Singapore.”

Takuya Imayoshi, President and CEO, Komatsu Ltd.: “As we continue our partnership with Atlassian Williams Racing, we are delighted to support the next generation of talent and our second cohort of the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy. It’s an honour to be able to welcome the ten new members into a truly global programme. The competition was fierce and those selected demonstrated exceptional potential. We are proud of this shared initiative, collaboratively guiding young people on their career journeys into engineering and STEM.”

Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman, STEM Racing: “Opening pathways into engineering is at the heart of STEM Racing’s mission. From our World Finals in Singapore, we’re proud to provide the selection pool for the Komatsu–Williams Engineering Academy - turning potential into opportunity. The Class of 2025 will gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and factory and trackside time. STEM Racing opens the door; through the Academy, Williams and Komatsu take them further - equipping these young engineers with the skills, networks, and confidence to thrive - in motorsport and beyond.”