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McLaren yesterday joined the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in hosting an exciting competition designed to inspire the next generation of automotive engineers.

Part of the joint government-industry See Inside Manufacturing scheme, the McLaren Manufacturing Challenge tasked pupils from three London schools with creating a motor-less vehicle, with the fastest car over a 10-metre track declared the winner. The pupils are now invited to take part in a grand final alongside schools from Woking at the McLaren Technology Centre on 8 November.

Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, presided over the event, and along with Alan Foster, Operations Director, McLaren Automotive, addressed the children about the potential opportunities ahead of them in engineering and manufacturing.

Speaking at the event, Vince Cable said, “See Inside Manufacturing plays an important part in challenging outdated perceptions of industry. The manufacturing sector is crucial to building a stronger economy – supporting two and a half million jobs and contributing almost £140 billion a year to the UK.

“Working with business I want to inspire young people to see just how dynamic the industry is. Events like this will put them in pole position to get involved in these rewarding careers.”

Alan Foster said, “Nearly everything that we use in our lives today is born out of engineering. The UK has a proud heritage in this field and boasts some of the best engineers and manufacturing facilities in the world.

“However, there is still an outdated perception amongst young people that it is an ‘oily-rag’ industry and doesn’t represent an exciting career choice. You only need ask the hundreds of talented engineers working on Jenson Button’s Formula 1 car or the new McLaren P1 supercar to know that nothing could be further from the truth.”

A number of manufacturers across the UK are taking part in See Inside Manufacturing throughout October. For details of all the events click here.