In my capacity as CEO of the world’s largest industry organisation in motorsport, the MIA, I am regularly asked by young people - graduates or recent graduates - as to their motorsport employment opportunities in the year ahead, given the economic downturn. I do not want to give too bleak a picture, but neither do I wish to offer false hope.
You may choose to pass my comments on to your students, or use the information yourself in some way.
There will be significantly less opportunities for students to become employed within Motorsport in 2009 and 2010. Whilst there will be some company closures, the main reason will be the downsizing of the workforce within companies. This action will release experienced individuals for others to employ.
Motorsport relies, to a significant degree, on “relevant competition experience” and sadly, new graduates struggle to fulfil this requirement. This makes it even more of an imperative that extra-curricular hands-on Motorsport activities are urgently facilitated and encouraged whilst at University. This allows the students to gain vital experience within Motorsport.
Formula Student fulfils one aspect of this – but it is of equal value to gain practical, hands-on experience in a Motorsport environment.
Having spoken to many employers recently, it is clear they will continue looking for the very best, newly qualified graduates. However, I expect that the numbers required may fall by 20-25% in the next two years. Good companies, building a strong future, recognise they must take on top level graduates to develop and be in place for the future good times – but there will be less of these companies around to do so.
The significant words, used by employers when asked what kind of graduates they may recruit, are as follows:
“Graduates must be highly motivated, focused and proven hard workers throughout their studies. We will be looking for personal drive, unlimited energy, total commitment and proven intellectual rigor.”
Students will need to make an extra effort to be able to demonstrate that they have these qualities. Simply explaining that they feel they do so will not count – there will need to be some practical evidence provided.
Motorsport and high performance engineering still has a tremendous future and offers an exciting career. Indeed, future development will rely on the calibre of the graduates now being recruited. It may help if graduates look more widely within the “ high-performance engineering” field. Relevant experience can be gained in marine, defence and aerospace allowing graduates to return to motorsport, when market conditions change, with wider knowledge which will be of extra value.
I thought it may be useful to pass on these comments, particularly at this time of the year, to prepare graduates for their quest for employment.
I wish all involved every success and if you feel the MIA can help, then please let me know.
Yours,
Chris Aylett
