TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As an extension of its role as Principal Partner of the Williams Racing Formula 1 team, Komatsu is proud to announce the launch of the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy, a global initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of engineering talent. This prestigious program will offer 10 promising STEM students from around the world a unique enhancement to their educational journey that includes mentorship, exposure to global industries and hands-on learning from experts.
The Academy’s first group of students will be selected in collaboration with F1 in Schools, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting STEM education. Students aged 16 and above attending the 2024 F1 in Schools World Final in Saudi Arabia this November will be invited to apply for a spot.
Together, Komatsu and Williams will select 10 lucky students to kick off Academy programming in January 2025. Each student will have their experience tailored to meet the needs of their educational journey at time of entry into the program, ensuring each student receives support that aligns with their academic path.
Those chosen for the Academy will have access to a range of benefits from both Komatsu and Williams, designed to support their growth and career development including:
- Early career opportunities: Access to work experience internships, apprenticeships and graduate roles across Komatsu and Williams
- Expert mentorship: Quarterly sessions with a Williams engineer and experts from Komatsu’s global business, offering personalized guidance and insights into the engineering and/or motorsport industries
- Exclusive experiences: A comprehensive program focused on community building, learning and networking opportunities across both Williams and Komatsu
- Online learning platform: Access to educational modules and tasks related to Formula 1, providing a solid foundation for engineering principles
The Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy builds on both companies’ legacies of developing new generations of talent and opening access to career opportunities within their industries.
Komatsu has a long history of commitment to developing engineering talent, as the company’s founder, Meitaro Takeuchi, also devoted himself to the founding of Waseda University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering in Japan, which continues to cultivate highly skilled engineers to this day. The company operates 21 Komatsu Technical Training Centers globally to advance engineering pursuits and education, in addition to supporting STEM community programming with partners around the world.
Williams runs a STEM education program that offers 3,000 schoolchildren opportunity to visit the team’s Grove headquarters free of charge to introduce them to potential STEM careers through the lens of motorsport. The Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy builds upon previous programming offered by Williams that was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing: “I’m pleased that we’re launching the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy because discovering and developing the brightest and best talent regardless of background is something I hold close to my heart. We have a duty and responsibility to invest in future generations and support them to succeed. I know how powerful that can be as someone who has been given a chance at the start of my career. This Academy will help both Williams and Komatsu find the future talent that will form the bedrock of our organizations and is another demonstration of the beliefs we both share.”
Hiroyuki Ogawa, President and CEO, Komatsu Ltd.: “Komatsu’s commitment to developing future generations dates back more than 100 years, to our founding. As a global company of 64,000, with thousands of employees in engineering and technical roles, we believe it is our duty to foster new generations of talent to support the continued advancement of our industries. We are proud to collaborate with Williams Racing on this important initiative to support students’ advancement toward STEM careers and excited to see what the future holds.”
Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman F1 in Schools: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Williams Racing and Komatsu on the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy. For over 24 years, F1 in Schools has been inspiring students through our global STEM challenge, and this partnership builds on our longstanding commitment to nurturing young talent. A decade after launching the first academy at the F1 in Schools World Finals in Abu Dhabi in 2014, we are proud to reignite this programme alongside Williams Racing and Komatsu. This initiative reflects our shared vision of making motorsport more inclusive and accessible, by breaking down barriers, fostering diverse talent, and driving social change. We are confident that the Academy will not only shape the future of motorsport but also empower young people across the globe to excel in STEM, motorsport, and beyond.”
About Komatsu
Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets. With operations in more than 150 locations, Komatsu supplies these core industries with leading solutions to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, manage forests and create consumer products. For more than a century, the company has been creating value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. The company's global service and distributor networks support customer operations to help enhance safety and promote productivity while working to optimize performance. Learn more at www.komatsu.com.
About Williams Racing
For almost 50 years, Williams Racing has been at the forefront of one of the fastest sports on the planet, being one of the top three most successful teams in history competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. With an almost unrivalled heritage of engineering and racing F1 cars and unforgettable eras that demonstrate it is a force to be reckoned with, the British squad boasts 16 F1 World Championship titles to its name. Since its foundation in 1977 by the eminent, late Sir Frank Williams and engineering pioneer Sir Patrick Head, the team has won nine Constructors’ Championships, in association with Cosworth, Honda and Renault. Its roll call of drivers is legendary, with its seven Drivers’ Championship trophies being lifted by true icons of the sport: Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. The team has made history before and is out to make it again with a long-term mission to evolve and return to the front of the grid.
About F1 in Schools
F1 in Schools is the world’s largest STEM-based education programme, inspiring students aged 6 to 19 across over 28,000 schools in 62 countries. For over 24 years, this global non-profit initiative has harnessed the excitement of Formula 1 to engage young minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. By challenging students to design, build, and race miniature F1 cars, F1 in Schools provides a unique, hands-on learning experience. The programme is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion, breaking down barriers, and empowering the next generation of innovators to thrive in STEM careers. With its innovative approach to education, F1 in Schools is shaping the future of motorsport and driving meaningful social change on a global scale.
