THE need to encourage the study of Stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), highlight the career opportunities in engineering and manufacturing, and develop a workforce characterised by the spirit of teamwork, individual endeavour, willingness to innovate, being unfazed by constantly evolving technology and having an awareness of how the modern economy works has rarely, if ever, been greater.

This why the work of the Greenpower Education Trust is so important. It is all about encouraging and facilitating young people to design, build and race electric cars.

Over 600 schools participate, reaching out to some 13,000 students cross the whole education spectrum and with the support of such sponsors as Siemens and the Institute of Engineering and Technology.

Greenpower has already supported Festomane (Festival of Manufacturing and Engineering) so some will already be familiar with the concept but, essentially, students design a car with only the electric motor and battery being standard.

Everything else is a matter of bringing together materials, structure, design and creation. The tests include, obviously, speed but endurance and reliability are both essential.

With so many participants in a competitive activity – building and racing the car – there is, inevitably, an international final.

This took place last Sunday at Rockingham Motor Circuit near Corby. The atmosphere was exciting, at different times thrilling and intense but always great fun. Hundreds of students with parents in support had a fabulous weekend.

Renishaw with factories in Stonehouse and Woodchester had a team of apprentices with three fabulous cars, all performing admirably.

There are several formulas so providing fair competition for all age groups. The Design, Build, Race concept is clearly very appealing to aspiring engineers for all age groups.

Education is not far away. With AQA (independent education charity, providing academic qualifications), Crest Awards (British Science Association) and Industrial Cadets (IET) all actively involved, high standards and attention to detail are all guaranteed.

Greenpower is an excellent example of what we need to help motivate young people to become engineers.

Each year the UK requires at least 180,000 new engineers but we only manage to produce half of this number — there is still much more to be done so the example of Greenpower is one of be emulated.