Return of the Engineering Academy for Williams

This Thursday, Williams announced the return of the iconic Williams Engineering Academy alongside its new partner Komatsu. This prestigious initiative, in collaboration with F1 in Schools, will select 10 promising young students to offer them personalized mentoring, internships, and a unique immersion in the world of engineering and Formula 1.

A program for young STEM talents

The first cohort of 10 students will be selected in collaboration with F1 in Schools, an organization dedicated to promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) among young people. Students aged 16 and over, present at the F1 in Schools World Finals scheduled for November 2024 in Saudi Arabia, will have the opportunity to apply to join this brand new academy.

The Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy will begin in January 2025 and will adapt to the educational backgrounds of each participant to offer personalized support.
Students will benefit from various advantages such as internships at Komatsu and Williams, mentoring sessions with experts, as well as access to an online learning platform focused on engineering principles applied to Formula 1.

A collaboration of global leaders.

This program is in line with a common vision at Komatsu and Williams: to invest in future generations. Komatsu, with a long tradition of talent development in engineering and Williams, with its STEM program dedicated to youth, are joining forces to offer career opportunities in various sectors ranging from engineering to high-level automotive.

James Vowles, Williams Racing’s Managing Director, expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative. “I am delighted that we are launching the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy because discovering and developing the best talents, regardless of their background, is something I deeply care about. We have a duty and responsibility to invest in future generations and help them succeed. I know how powerful it can be for someone who has been given a chance at the start of their career. This academy will help Williams and Komatsu find the future talents that will form the backbone of our organizations.”

Hiroyuki Ogawa, CEO of Komatsu, also emphasized the importance of this commitment. « We believe it is our duty to support the new generations of talent to promote the continuous advancement of our industries. We are proud to collaborate with Williams Racing on this important initiative to support the advancement of students towards STEM careers and we look forward to seeing what the future holds. »

A vision for the future of STEM

With the support of F1 in Schools, this initiative demonstrates the commitment of both companies to make STEM careers more accessible and inclusive. The Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy promises to shape not only the future of motorsport, but also that of the technological sectors globally.