AT&T Williams F1

Formula One is a human capital business. Without world class talent matched to a profound commitment to go beyond the definition of the normal understanding of commitment, success in Formula One would be an elusive goal.

It follows therefore that Williams' staff are its most important asset. The company prizes itself in a positive level of engagement, support and reward for its workforce, reflected in the number of employees who have served 25 years or more with the organisation.

Click here for a list of jobs available at Williams F1.

Work Experience & Student Placement Policy 

Purpose
As part of the Company’s on-going commitment to the importance of Schools, Colleges and Universities in supplying the talented artisans, technicians, engineers and business support staff to the Formula One industry in the future, we operate a work experience and student placement programme. The purpose of work experience and student placements is to encourage further study and careers in Maths, Science, Engineering, Design and Information Technology, Media and Marketing.  Our overall aim is to bring engineering and work related subjects to life, enthusing students about such subjects, and helping to equip them for their future careers, particularly in precision engineering environments such as ours. This is particularly important with the declining interest of students to pursue careers in precision engineering.

Work Experience and Student Placement Opportunities Available
The Company receives many applications from students who would like the opportunity to undertake work experience or student placements. Due to such high demand along with limited availability due to our company size, resources and racing commitments, we are only able to accommodate the following opportunities each year:

• Maximum of 10 one-week unpaid work experience students 
• Maximum of 10 paid student placements per year

In addition to the above, we also offer a “Taster Week” to secondary school students titled “Five days in the Life of WilliamsF1.” This programme can accommodate 10 students and is designed to provide an insight into the diverse range of skills and occupations required by the Company to produce a Formula One racing car. This programme is therefore ideal in assisting students to make the right career, apprenticeships and/or future subject choices. This programme takes place at the end of July each year.

In the case of student placements, students will work under the mentorship of an experienced team member, gaining significant experience, as well as invaluable information for final year dissertations / thesis. Along the way, students will pick up a diverse range of new skills and competencies that can be universally applied in an environment that is constantly changing.

Throughout the duration of the placement, the student will have regular performance evaluations with the nominated manager to aid professional and personal development. The Company’s informal working culture will also allow the student to network with the full spectrum of people working within the team.

Due to our car-build commitments, work experience and short-term student placements are not available between October and April each year. Additionally, we are not able to accommodate work experience students for periods longer than one week. 

Only students taking part in the student placement programmes can be accommodated in our Aerodynamics, Design, Test Facilities, Marketing and Media Departments. We do not offer any work experience or student placement opportunities on our Race or Test Teams.

Work Experience and Student Placement Application Process
When short-listing work experience and student placement applications, the Company generally expects students to be studying relevant subjects at school or have achieved very high results at school, college or university in subjects such as Maths, English, Science, Art, Design, Communications, Mechanical or Automotive Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering and Information Technology.

In addition to the above, active participation in programmes such as Formula Schools, Formula Student, or F1 in Schools, may be an advantage as well as demonstrating an active interest in leisure activities such as go-karting, restoring or working on cars, building working models of cars and planes. If applying for student placements in Marketing and Media, students should ideally be able to demonstrate an active interest in School/College/University newsletters and publications, organising and assisting with community activities and events etc.

When applying for work experience or student placements opportunities, all students are expected to submit a covering letter along with a brief essay and curriculum vitae (if relevant) containing the following information:

• Whether you are applying for work experience, the “Taster Week” or a paid student placement
• Your current career aims and how you plan to achieve them
• Subjects that you are currently taking and plan to take
• Relevant leisure pursuits and activities
• Why work experience with the Company would be beneficial to you
• Demonstrate that you are the best person to be selected

The closing date for all work experience, “Taster Week” and student placements is 30th November for the following calendar year. Shortlisting will take place between December and February and those students that are shortlisted will be invited to attend an interview and/or selection tests during this period.  We will also obtain academic references as part of the selection process.  The outcome of all applications will be notified in by March of the relevant calendar year. The reason for this timescale is to take account of our busy car-build and pre-season preparations.

Arrangements for Travel and Accommodation
It is expected that the student or their family takes sole responsibility for making suitable travel and accommodation arrangements. 

Health and Safety
A standard risk assessment form is provided in Appendix One. Comprehensive training on manual handling and fire safety will be provided on the student’s first day as part of the induction process. The student will also be protected under the company’s Employer’s Liability and Public Liability Insurance.

Applications
Applications for the work experience or student placement programmes should be sent to hr@williamsf1.com. Your application will be acknowledged within two weeks of you sending us the application, and we will contact you by the end of February to confirm if you have been successful in your application.

Note: Due to the short term nature of both work experience placements and student placements we are unable to accept applications from candidates who do not have entitlement to live or work in the United Kingdom.