Skip to content

Our PETRONAS Interns Programme: The Future Starts Today

While performance in the present remains our primary daily objective, we always have one eye looking to the future. A key part of that stems from our past.

Together with PETRONAS, we have achieved everything on track. A return to the sport, podiums, race wins, and of course, Championships.

On track, our cars have always done the talking. Off it, we share a simple motto: Our people are our power.

Preparing for what’s to come and investing in educating future generations to deal with the expectations and pressures of working in Formula One will only make us stronger as we strive to make the future of the team and the motorsport landscape as strong and diverse as possible.

Nowhere else is that more apparent than in our PETRONAS Interns programme.

First started in 2011, the seven-month-long scheme aims to integrate a small group of students from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS in Malaysia into our Brackley family, allowing them to showcase their engineering expertise and drive us forward while creating a unique opportunity to study and work abroad for a Formula One team.

We caught up with the key stakeholders that play a big part in making the programme happen every year, to get their thoughts on what makes it so special, and the important role it plays in strengthening our relationship with our Title Partner.

What Is the PETRONAS Interns Programme?

Julie Herdman, Head of HR Services and Talent: "The PETRONAS interns programme is a prestigious initiative by PETRONAS that runs out of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS.

"Every year we receive a lot of applications for students from mechanical, chemical, and petrochemical backgrounds. We usually take on about seven or so every year, and we aim to create the kind of roles each year that will offer the most mutual benefit to both the team and the students.

"It is a recruitment process that runs for almost the entire year. We start applications for the next year when the current cohort has two or three months left.

"We work with PETRONAS and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS to hold sessions where previous interns present what life is like to prospective candidates. We usually host these via video calls, but last year it was hosted in person at the University in Malaysia, which was lovely.“

What Is the History of the Programme?

Farehana Hanapiah, former Senior Vice President Group Human Resource Management, PETRONAS: "Our DNA is people development. We have always looked to nurture talent. That’s how this programme first came about because we wanted to make sure we could align our partnership with the team to our commitment to developing the next generation.

"Since 2011 we’ve had 75 students come to England for this internship with the team. Of course, this is just one of the many programmes we have running worldwide. The majority of those who have passed through this programme have ended up working for PETRONAS, where they have performed exceptionally well. Certainly, this experience has greatly contributed to their impressive progress within the company.“

Jackie Vent, Head of Learning and Development: "When I started with the programme we would go over and interview the students in Malaysia. You could see how much the programme meant to the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. They really cared about what they were doing.

"That goes for our side, too. We want the students to be getting the most relevant technical experience, in line with the degree they are doing."

'Inspiring to Witness' - Lewis Visits School with PETRONAS

What Does a Typical Internship Look Like?

Nickie Smith, HR Services Manager: "We start on day one with an induction around the factory, then they meet their line managers. After that we take them shopping for the everyday essentials to help set them up. From then on, we set them free into their departments. After about six to eight weeks, we present back to the university about what they have been working on, and how they have been settling in.

"They will meet Toto twice during the programme. Once at the beginning, and once at the end. You can tell at the start they are quite reserved, but by the time they come to present what they have achieved at the end, you can see how they have come out of themselves. They will just be chatting away with him."

Farehana Hanapiah: "Not everyone can boast that they’ve had an opportunity like this and it's great that we're seeing that the value we're creating goes beyond their time with the team in Brackley. This is an impact that will change the course of the lives of these young students.

"One of our key statements of purpose at PETRONAS is to positively change and impact people's lives. Everything we do must contribute to making a meaningful and beneficial difference in people's lives. When you see that manifest, there’s nothing more you can ask for. So, for sure, we are very proud of this programme and the young people that pass through it."

What Do We Look for in a PETRONAS Intern?

Julie Herdman: "The interns are here for a short space of time, so it is important to be able to integrate well and adapt. They are living a long way away from home as well, so resilience is important too. That ability to learn and develop in new situations - both in and away from the factory - is important."

Nickie Smith: "From a technical standpoint, the line managers know exactly what they are looking for. We then make sure that they match up from a character perspective. Sometimes the interns know each other already, others meet for the first time at the airport when they all fly out. They can have as little as 14 hours to acclimatise.

"You can see over the course of the programme how their personalities come out. By the end of it they have such a rapport with those around them. It is such a lovely organic journey for them.

"When they arrive, they are a little bit reserved, but by the time they go you can see how much more confident they are."

Farehana Hanapiah: "We've set up criteria. Part of that is achieving a fairly high GPA, so the students we consider for these places are incredibly smart. But it’s not just about good academics, they should also be good at co-curricular activities.

"They must also be somebody we know can have the right level of resilience because bringing them out and putting them into a totally different environment will test anyone. And then, of course, the ability to help each other out is another factor we consider. So, we look at not just the hard academic stuff, but also the softer, resilient, emotional factors as well.

"This is so that we know we're giving a list of students who we believe will be able to take on all the different challenges they will face.

"We also want to make sure they can work within a diverse team. We know they are going to be working in a varied team in terms of background, racial makeup and family income. They need to be able to appreciate that and become a dynamic unit. We also make a conscious effort to balance out male and female applicants during our selection process.

"Doing so helps us highlight that there are women around the world looking to get into subjects like mechanical engineering. This effort strengthens our partnerships and promotes gender diversity in the field."

OFFICIAL TEAM STORE

Shop Bestsellers

Rev up your style with our top-selling merch! Whether you're at the track or cheering from home, our collection has everything you need to show your support in style. Don't miss out on these fan favourites.
Shop Now