Construcciones Yamaro: A new year for the Komatsu‑Williams Engineering Academy
Few partnerships capture the spirit of engineering collaboration like Komatsu and Atlassian Williams Racing. Through the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy, the two organisations are investing in young talent with the technical capability and vision to define the next era of global industry.
Unveiled at the STEM Racing Global Final in Singapore, the academy’s Class of 2025 brings together 10 students from Australia, the United Kingdom, Greece, Cyprus, Singapore and Canada. Each earned their place through the STEM Racing program, previously known as F1 in Schools, which attracts 1.8 million participants from more than 60 countries each year.
For Komatsu, a company with a century-long heritage in engineering excellence, the academy represents a long-term investment in people, underpinning technological progress.
Takuya Imayoshi, president and CEO of Komatsu, describes the initiative as an opportunity to cultivate global talent while strengthening the values that have defined the company since its founding.
“As we continue our partnership with Atlassian Williams Racing, we are delighted to support the next generation of talent and our second cohort of the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy. It’s an honour to be able to welcome the 10 new members into a truly global program,” says Imayoshi.
“The competition was fierce and those selected demonstrated exceptional potential. We are proud of this shared initiative, collaboratively guiding young people on their career journeys into engineering and STEM.”
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Komatsu’s success has been built on its ability to apply engineering insight to the world’s toughest industrial tasks. From building the machines that construct cities to developing digital systems that optimise them, the company’s contribution to the global economy depends on skilled, creative thinkers who understand both the mechanics and the meaning of their work.
Connecting two engineering powerhouses – one in heavy industry, the other in motorsport – the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy equips students with the mindset to tackle complex challenges. Participants gain access to a Formula 1-focused online learning platform, mentorship from Williams Racing engineers and experiences across both organisations, tailored to their level of study from secondary school through to university and into early-career pathways.
Williams Racing team principal James Vowles sees this continuity as essential to building a sustainable talent pipeline.
“Here at Atlassian Williams Racing, we are committed to finding and supporting the talent of tomorrow, wherever they come from and whatever stage they are in their academic career,” says Vowles. “This academy will help both Williams and Komatsu find the future talent that will form the bedrock of our organisations, and is another demonstration of the beliefs we both share.”
While the academy is newly relaunched, its roots trace back to earlier Williams initiatives that opened the doors of Formula 1 to aspiring engineers. Previous academies produced graduates who went on to secure industrial placements at Williams and full-time roles within its Vehicle Design department.
The revived program builds on that legacy, combining Williams’ mentorship structure with Komatsu’s global network. Seven members from the previous academy have been honoured and brought into the new Komatsu-Williams structure, creating a bridge between past and present cohorts.
Andrew Denford, founder and chairman of STEM Racing, describes the partnership as a natural evolution of the educational movement that began two decades ago.
“Opening pathways into engineering is at the heart of STEM Racing’s mission. From our World Finals in Singapore, we’re proud to provide the selection pool for the Komatsu-Williams Engineering Academy, turning potential into opportunity,” says Denford.
His emphasis on real-world readiness reflects a growing recognition that the future of engineering depends on exposure, mentorship and the removal of barriers. Each member is paired with a Williams mentor for quarterly sessions and can participate in cross-company initiatives, internships and graduate pathways across both organisations.
A shared vision of progress
Komatsu’s collaboration with Williams Racing is an exchange of expertise between two organisations that understand the importance of human ingenuity in achieving technical mastery. The partnership began when Komatsu became a Principal Partner of Williams Racing in early 2024.
Williams Racing continues to invest in developing new talent as part of its long-term strategy to return to the front of the Formula 1 grid. Komatsu’s workforce of 64,000 reflects the same ethos across its global network, with thousands of engineers dedicated to developing equipment and systems that drive construction, mining, forestry and industrial productivity.
Hiroyuki Ogawa, president and CEO of Komatsu at the time of the academy’s launch, says the company’s commitment to developing future generations dates back more than 100 years.
“As a global company of 64,000, with thousands of employees in engineering and technical roles, we believe it is our duty to foster new generations of talent to support the continued advancement of our industries,” says Ogawa.
The academy formalises that commitment, integrating mentorship, digital learning and industry exposure to create a continuum from education to employment. Students gain practical insight into how engineering principles are applied in both high-performance motorsport and heavy-equipment environments.
The next generation
As construction, manufacturing and resources industries compete for technical talent, programs like this academy represent a strategic response. They cultivate the mindset required for modern engineering – analytical, collaborative, adaptive and ethically grounded – and build a sustainable pathway for the talent the sector needs.
The experience begins with immersion. The newly selected students started their journey at the Singapore Grand Prix in October, visiting the Williams Racing paddock and engaging with engineers behind the scenes. The blend of classroom learning, hands-on exposure and mentorship mirrors the approach taken in modern construction and engineering workplaces. Komatsu, for instance, operates apprenticeship programs across its global subsidiaries, combining academic study with structured on-the-job training. Similarly, the academy connects young talent to projects and mentors who can help them navigate the transition from study to practice.
Each student’s experience will differ, but all will develop the technical discipline and problem-solving approach valued by Komatsu and Williams. The companies’ shared investment reminds the wider industry that developing human potential is as vital as advancing technology.
This year’s class
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