Ask any sizeable firm what their most pressing issue is and they will likely say 'recruitment'. Car companies are certainly no different, it is one of the reasons why they a) employ a significant number of graduates and apprentices, and b) look to base themselves in established areas of expertise (which partly explains why the Geely design studio that will lead work on Lotus's two forthcoming SUVs is destined for the Midlands, not Norfolk).
Obviously things get even trickier when you're trying to stand-up an entire new production facility all in one go, just as McLaren is doing with its Composites Technology Centre in Sheffield. The manufacturer expects MCTC to be fully up and running next year, which will require a doubling of its current workforce.
Good news then for anyone with experience in boat-building, the textiles trade or sporting goods industries, because McLaren is keen to attract people used to working with fabric. Which is precisely what carbon fibre begins life as before it is cut and placed into the moulds that turn it into impressively strong components like the tub of a 720S.
"As we're working with advanced, lightweight materials in new ways that have never been used before on this scale for car production, McLaren is looking for a range of skills you wouldn't normally associate with the automotive industry," said McLaren's CEO, Mike Flewitt.
"We're also looking to hire apprentices and degree apprentices. The advanced technologies and processes they will be working on could one day be used in other industries to produce lighter, and therefore more efficient, vehicles which will not only help McLaren to continue to innovate, but the UK to become a global leader in composite materials expertise."
The announcement of its recruitment drive comes a year to the day since the Sheffield-based facility was officially opened, and it expects the new roles to be phased in early next year. It's not all about carbon fibre either - a quick look at McLaren's career site confirms that it is also looking to recruit staff in Energy Storage Systems, particularly those with experience of prototype builds as it starts the journey toward a proposed EV hypercar. We can think of less exciting places to work...
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