British school pupils are on the starting grid for a great career in engineering, as specialist awarding organisation EAL has given the green light to a new deal with F1 in Schools.

Youngsters aged between 15 and 18, who attend more than 2000 schools participating in F1 in Schools will be in pole position for a Level 1 Foundation Certificate.

F1 in Schools is a national and international competition that tasks teams of students to design, test, manufacture and race a scale model Formula 1 car. The programme is run in over 44 countries, with regional and national finals events. Winners from each national final compete at the highest level, the F1 in Schools World Finals, vying for the F1 in Schools World Champions title, the Bernie Ecclestone World Champions trophy, scholarships to City University London and bursaries for UCL Mechanical Engineering.

Specialist awarding organisation EAL is pioneering a range of new initiatives to drive vocational pathways to work in to schools, giving younger pupils the tools that they need to embark on a rewarding career.

The deal is the first to be struck by the company’s new head of commercial development Natalie Wilson. She said: “EAL’s partnership with F1 in Schools reflects our determination to drive vocational qualifications in to the classroom. Every pupil taking part in this truly inspirational competition will have the chance to gain a meaningful qualification which could set them off on the right track in life.”

EAL, which specialises in engineering and building services, recently unveiled a portfolio of schools qualifications, which would count toward apprenticeships and traineeships. In addition the EAL Schools’ Pledge, launched last year, is securing ties between educators and local businesses to ensure that industry’s needs are met and the skills gap closed.

F1 in Schools founder and chairman, Andrew Denford hailed the agreement as ‘ground-breaking’. He said:  “The magnetic appeal of F1 provides the spark to inspire a new generation of great British engineers through the F1 in Schools programme. Thanks to EAL, students participating in F1 in Schools not only benefit from the challenge of the competition, but can also gain a landmark qualification which will be invaluable to them as they progress into further education and their careers.”

Participating schools can utilise one of 15 ‘Make and Race Centres’ – hubs where their designs are manufactured and raced under controlled conditions.

Pictured above: Finalists of the 2014 F1 in Schools Challenge in Abu Dhabi. The next world final is in Singapore in September 2015.