University Students: This Really Could Be You Next Year - Five Months’ Paid Internships At Five Car Makers

The Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award is regarded as the premier automotive industry competition of its type. The 2013 winner will be rewarded with paid internships:- one month at each of the contest sponsors: Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren Automotive, Peugeot, Skoda and Toyota.

To enter the 2013 competition, students need to answer in 500 words a brief set by Autocar editor-in-chief Steve Cropley and submit their entry via the Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award website – by 2 September 2013.

Brief: Describe, in no more than 500 words, an idea, innovation or change to corporate policy that would improve the UK automotive business.

The idea could work in any area of the automotive business – from concept through to the sales showroom and aftermarket.

“I have had an amazing experience, not just by winning the competition,” said Roberto, aged 25, who studied at Kingston University. “The whole process has been absolutely incredible; it’s been thought-provoking, stimulating and definitely future career enhancing. 

“I really do encourage all students to enter the competition; the networking opportunities are so valuable and the mentoring sessions are something money just couldn’t buy. I am hoping to have some very exciting news very soon; I have my fingers crossed.”

The Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award was launched in 2009 to offer entrants a unique chance to launch an automotive industry career and is run by Autocar in partnership with Courland International and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Submissions will be welcomed from all disciplines, including – but not limited to – engineering, marketing and communications, design and media. Special credit will be given to the originality of entrants’ suggestions. Successful students who are selected after their initial entry will need to demonstrate how their idea could be made viable and the advantages it would offer.

The six best entrants will attend a mentoring session with one of the assigned judges from the 2013 sponsor companies. This will be followed by the final judging day at the home of Autocar at Teddington Studios on 6 November, where the entrants will make presentations to a panel of leading industry executives from the 2013 sponsor companies. Three finalists will then be invited to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ annual dinner on 26 November, where the winner will be announced.

Autocar editor-in-chief Steve Cropley said: “I say to all students simply, ‘You’ve got to be in it to win it’. The automotive industry is an amazing and inspirational environment to work in; bring your talents to the table and see what it has to offer you in return.

“Please can I also appeal to everyone reading this: do spread the word and encourage friends and family to enter. The opportunity is just too good to missed. Roberto is testament to this; I’ve heard a few whispers about him and I’m keeping everything crossed too.”