Courland Automotive Practice launches the search for the Next Generation
London, July 8th 2009. Courland Automotive Practice LLP has created a unique partnership with Autocar magazine in the UK to help identify, support and develop the automotive talent of the future with a unique competition for university students in the UK.
The Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award was designed to provide a focal point to attract the brightest individuals studying any professional discipline to consider a career in the automotive industry, and to reward the brightest and best with the opportunity to engage with senior decision makers and possibly start their career with a flying start.
The Award will be given to an individual able to demonstrate innovative thinking about an aspect of the industry of their choosing and capable of presenting this idea in a Dragon’s Den style forum to a panel of experts. The single individual who takes the prize will win £6000 and one month’s work experience at each of the four partner companies supporting the programme.
In 2009 the Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award has been supported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in partnership with Ford of Britain, Harley-Davidson Europe, Honda UK and Marshall Motor Group, all of whom will participate in the judging of the Award.
The competition is open to any student from any discipline and their chosen topic can be any aspect of the motor industry not just engineering and design but marketing, finance, retail, politics, production, HR, etc. The important issue is that the student shows original thinking and the ability to communicate their idea.
Courland Automotive Practice will identify a long-list of 12 from the applicants, narrowing down to six shortlisted entrants will be invited to spend a day with the most senior decision makers from each of the brands involved where they will present their ideas in a ‘Dragons Den’ style boardroom situation which will be filmed. The three finalists, chosen from the six, will be invited to attend the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ prestigious Annual Dinner in front of 1,000 senior industry executives, where the winner will be announced.
Lynda Pickess, Managing Partner of Courland Automotive Practice LLP said, ‘The future of the motor industry will be defined by the creativity and commitment of the people working in it and we need to attract the cream of the crop to lay the foundations upon which success will be built, and the Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award is a unique showcase for this.
The winner will have to show their vision and innovation, with the ability to present their ideas effectively and convince the most senior executives in this sector in a boardroom situation, which will be no mean feat. The close involvement and commitment of our partners in this programme reflect the significance of the opportunity for the winner.
It is the most positive and dynamic programme I have been associated with during 25 years in the automotive sector and it really can provide a fast-track into the industry for the right individual.
The concept presented must be an original idea and the judges will be looking for something that is new or that builds on existing ideas. The concept might demonstrate lateral thinking, creativity and ‘thinking outside the box’, bringing new approaches to old problems.
The finalists in the Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award will engage with the Courland Automotive Practice team during the process and receive advice and guidance. This experience is a unique opportunity for someone at the start of their career in the sector and reflects the investment by Courland in both the Award and nurturing the automotive leaders of tomorrow.
Details of how to enter can be found at www.autocar.co.uk/next-generation and all must be received by Friday 23 October 2009.