Mercedes launch latest initiative as part of quest for off-track legacy

Mercedes is set to launch the latest programme in its ongoing quest to become a more diverse and inclusive team.

In December, Mercedes announced its 'Accelerate 25' initiative, a five-year plan with the aim that at least 25% of all new starters at the team would come from under-represented groups.

Mercedes has already embarked on its first STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] project in partnership with the Mulberry Schools Trust.

To celebrate International Women's Day, the team has now formed an association with the Stemettes, an award-winning UK social enterprise that works to inspire and support girls, young women and non-binary young people into STEM careers.

The initial concept will match young women from low socio-economic and minority ethnic backgrounds with experienced Mercedes F1 engineers for a four-month mentoring programme, designed to support, guide and encourage their STEM journey.

Mercedes chief people officer Paul Mills said: "Mercedes F1 and the Stemettes share the same aims: to encourage, enthuse and build confidence in young women and support them as they consider STEM as part of their education and career.

"As a team, we are committed to increasing the diversity of our new recruits and I very much hope that some of the young people that we work with on the Stemettes programmes will consider us as an employer in the future.

"Equally, our current employees are showing great enthusiasm for the project. I know many are looking forward to sharing the fulfilment and enjoyment they experience in their chosen careers with the Stemettes students, whilst also developing skills themselves through the mentoring programmes and doing something a little different from their day job."

Via workshops, events and learning experiences, the Stemettes have worked with more than 50,000 young people aged five to 25 across the UK and Ireland since 2013 to inspire the next generation and ignite their passion for STEM subjects.

With women making up only 24% of the UK's core STEM workforce, the organisation is working to enable all young people to make informed decisions about STEM careers with the aim of women eventually being proportionally represented in the field.

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