New fund to enable students from disadvantaged backgrounds to train for the motorsport roles of the future
London 27 September 2023: The Grand Prix Trust (GPT) has launched a £100,000 annual bursary scheme to help disadvantaged college students become part of the dynamic and hugely successful British motorsport industry. The new initiative is a partnership with the Silverstone based National College for Motorsport (NC4M) and Silverstone University Technical College.
The programme will provide a broad range of assistance to young people from a variety of different backgrounds creating a stream of talented, work-ready individuals primed to fill the motorsport jobs of the future. Above all, the initiative aims to break down barriers that would ordinarily hinder those who aspire to work in the motorsport industry.
The project will be led on behalf of the Grand Prix Trust by Pat Symonds, Chief Technical Officer of Formula One.
Chairman of the GPT Trustees and SKY Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle said “We are very pleased to be able to help college students who have the desire and motivation to be part of our exciting industry, but for whatever reason of circumstances find themselves unable to do so. Motorsport is crying out for young talent, and this perfectly closes the circle of what the Grand Prix Trust offers.”
Created in the 1980s by Sir Jackie Stewart to help personnel from the now 73-year-old Formula One industry, the Grand Prix Trust is its benevolent fund. It provides wide-ranging signposting and advice, financial support where appropriate, and social interaction events to anyone who has worked in the industry for two or more years.
Robin Webber-Jones and John McAfee, Principals at NC4M and Silverstone UTC respectively, welcomed this worthwhile and significant initiative.
“We would like to thank the Grand Prix Trust and its Trustees for their generosity in providing this bursary for our students,” said McAfee. “This is hugely exciting news that will offer aspiring students the very best opportunities, and which will be fundamental in helping them realise their career goals. We look forward to strengthening the partnership in the future.”
Webber-Jones added, “This scheme provides a ground-breaking way of supporting young people to significantly advance their careers in the motorsport industry and we are very excited to see what recipients will go on to achieve.’
NC4M and Silverstone UTC will work closely alongside the GPT to carry out a talent detection programme to identify individuals who can benefit. Details will be published shortly on qualifying criteria and the colleges will communicate directly to students and parents about how they apply for support.
For further information and donations to GPT please contact: arlene@grandprixtrust.com
