Ampthill, Bedfordshire 14 July, 2021 – Two Bedfordshire based young engineers from global aerospace company, Lockheed Martin bring their engineering expertise to the F1 in Schools national STEM Challenge.

Two graduate engineers from Lockheed Martin’s talented pool of passionate STEM ambassadors joined the UK judging panel where they are volunteering alongside other likeminded experts to assess, analyse, judge and score entries from schools across the UK.

F1 in Schools is an exciting international STEM competition where school children aged 9-19 showcase their engineering skills through regional, national and international stages of the competition. The young enthusiasts are tasked to design and manufacture a miniature car out of the official F1 Model Block using computer-aided design (CAD) computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAM) tools.

Supporting initiatives such as the F1 STEM challenge is a key part of Lockheed Martin’s world class STEM education programme which addresses the challenges of future engineering and technical skills shortage through its dedicated and tailored, STEM outreach programme in the local community, to ensure there is a strong talent pipeline ready to come through its Early Careers Programme.

By investing in today’s generation, Lockheed Martin will ensure the company is plugging future skills' gaps to remain at the forefront of skills expertise and talent excellence in support of the UK skills agenda.

Neil Hebron, Engineering & Technology Director at Lockheed Martin UK said: “Our investment in skills goes beyond our own people. Through STEM outreach activities we are helping the UK develop and sustain a strong and capable talent pipeline. I wholly believe in the value our young talent brings to the business; they teach us as much as they learn from the company – it really is a win-win. They bring a fresh perspective, a different way of looking at things and a novel approach to solving problems. We have an exceptional Early Careers Programme that has grown over the years, and many of our employees that have joined the company through this route have gone on to building successful careers at Lockheed Martin."

Mark Wemyss-Holden, UK National Project Manager for the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge said: “Industry collaboration is vital to the success of our STEM programme, we’re delighted with the support received from Lockheed Martin; their engineering expertise, technological advantage and passion for all things STEM is exactly what our programme is all about."

“A company that is advancing some of the worlds most sophisticated technologies and complex capabilities brings a wealth of knowledge to our challenge. It’s this sort of partnership that helps us unlock and reach out to the talent of the future and inspire today’s generation to become tomorrow’s STEM experts.”

Lockheed Martin, patron to the 5% club a body of members working to create a shared prosperity across the UK by driving skills training opportunities, is committed to enabling the development of its young talent. Alongside providing a dedicated and tailored progression plan through its Early Careers Programme, the company presents its employees with opportunities such as the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge judging opportunity to help aid personal and professional development.  

More information on the company’s STEM education programme and initiatives can be found here.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin UK has operated in country for nearly 80 years. From postal sorting technology to helping build the UK’s first commercial spaceport, its innovations and partnerships help solve some of the UK’s most complex challenges, contributing to national defence, security and prosperity.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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About F1 in Schools

F1 in Schools Ltd is a social enterprise working with committed industry partners to provide an exciting yet challenging educational experience through the magnetic appeal of Formula 1. F1 in Schools is the only truly global educational programme that raises awareness of STEM and Formula 1 among students and school children in every region, in every country, on every continent.

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Media Contacts:

Shagufta Mustafa, +44 7813 00772; shagufta.mustafa@lmco.com

Hannah Lavery, +44 7805 751617; Hannah.lavery@lmco.com