Are you a total adrenaline junkie? If you have a need for speed and all things flashy, racing is the career for you.
Popping over to Monaco to watch the race live sounds cool enough – even better if lavish trips were part of your job.
Motorsport apprenticeships offer an exciting pathway to turn your passion for performance into a real profession. Kick your career into sixth gear with these in-demand motorsport apprenticeship opportunities.
Jobs you can get with motorsport apprenticeships
Mechanic
It seems totally impossible for cars to be fixed in just a few seconds at the pit stop, but that’s part of the magic of motorsport mechanics. They’re experts in everything from engines and gearboxes to brakes and suspension. Behind the scenes, mechanics spend hours in the workshop, meticulously maintaining and preparing the car for the next race.
Team principal/manager
Wanna be a head honcho? The team principal is the big boss of the racing team, the one who calls the shots and leads management. Key skills include negotiation, leadership, and working under pressure. It’s a challenging job that’s not all champagne showers and podium finishes; you’ll also have to handle the tough stuff like solving conflicts and dealing with setbacks. This job might sound like a crazy dream, but there’s no reason why you can’t work your way through the ranks to manager status.
Driver performance coach
Racing drivers are elite athletes, but their superior focus and fitness aren’t created overnight. A driver performance coach acts as a mix of a personal trainer, sports psychologist, life coach and more rolled into one. Your goal is to help the athletes unlock their full potential by supporting their lifestyles, from sleep to mental stability and physical health.
Performance engineer
Motorsport is all about performance, and performance engineers are like detectives of speed. They analyse data from track tests and simulations to find ways to make the car even faster. People in this job work closely with other teams, such as designers and mechanics, to tweak the car’s setup and test new parts.
Who’s hiring in Motorsport apprenticeships
Williams Racing
Williams is a super recognisable name in the motorsport world – luckily, they have some great apprenticeship opportunities, so you can get involved. The programmes last 3 or 4 years, and you can sign up now to register your interest.
Cosworth
Vehicle engineering company Cosworth has a Level 3 Apprenticeship, through which you can earn various qualifications like an NVQ3 Extended Diploma and a Level 3 Technical Certificate. You’ll work on a range of projects with companies like Aston Martin.
Aston Martin
Apprenticeships with the famous Aston Martin open in autumn each year – make a note in your diary. The standout opportunity is the Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, and there are plenty of other competitive apprenticeships in manufacturing, paint engineering and more.
National Motorsport Academy
Fancy securing a BSc in Motorsport Engineering (yes, an actual degree!)? The National Motorsport Academy offers degree-level apprenticeships and advertises the top positions across the UK.
Entry requirements
Most of these jobs require at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4. Degree apprenticeships need more qualifications, usually BBC in your A Levels or the BTEC equivalent in a relevant subject such as software engineering or automotive engineering. Some motorsport apprenticeships expect you to have studied a STEM subject like maths or physics at A Level – so pay attention in these classes!
Next up, you’ll need to master the soft skills. Problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making are the big three in the world of motorsport. Work on building your resilience, too – it can be upsetting to encounter setbacks, but motorsport is a difficult industry to break into. Don’t let a few rejections get in the way of achieving your goal.
Extra tips
The F1 circuit can be your target but doesn’t have to be your starting point. The people in the big leagues have worked hard to gain extensive experience and network connections to get where they are today. Rather than putting pressure on yourself to rocket to the top, focus on building your knowledge and skillset by applying for roles at local garages.
Smaller garages might also offer apprenticeships, entry-level roles and work experience schemes. You could help during the summer holidays and volunteer at local race events to build industry connections.
Motorsport is constantly evolving; racing teams are known for being cutting-edge innovators in engineering, technology and science. Stay in touch with the latest advancements and developments by reading industry publications and watching loads of sports (not that you need an excuse for that!).
Shifting gears: your future in motorsport
Put the pedal to the metal and accelerate your racing career with a motorsport apprenticeship. Or, check out similar opportunities in engineering and sports to see what’s out there.
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