Eager to prove his worth, Sam Cordwell arrived at Lincoln College in 2015 with a personal aim of achieving a 100% attendance target to show prospective employers that he was a reliable and punctual.
During Sam’s 2-year full time study programme, he won Student of the Year 2016 in partnership with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP), scooping £500 and the opportunity to benefit from a week’s practical work experience at the Formula One organisation. It was here Sam got involved in building one of Lewis Hamilton’s Formula One engines.
Sam says “the work experience opportunity gave me a great understanding of how precise and structured a role in the industry is and the knowledge and skill level I would need to progress in the future.”
Following his work experience Sam secured an apprenticeship with HPP which started in September 2017.
Gavin Scott, Higher Education Mechanical Engineering Course Coordinator at Lincoln College says “with Lincoln College’s contacts within higher education and industry we are able to facilitate a student’s interests and help them with their chosen progression, like we did with Sam and his passion for motorsport.”
Sam offers advice to those looking for a career in motorsport saying “don’t sell yourself short or think that it will never happen. There are some great apprenticeship opportunities out there with amazing internationally recognised companies that will open up a world of career paths for those who show real hunger.
“The people I have met while working at HPP so far have been inspirational, from Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff, to my colleagues and team mates I have worked with and continued to learn from.
“I am now looking forward to what we can achieve and where my career can lead; all starting with an apprenticeship.”