Cardiff and Vale College to become STEM Racing Centre of Excellence
In an exciting new partnership, Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) is set to become a leading institution for developing local students aspiring to careers in engineering and manufacturing, as it joins STEM Racing as a Centre of Excellence.
Engineering is an industry facing a significant skills gap across the UK, with an estimated annual shortfall of between 37,000 and 59,000 workers. In Wales, 80% of employers report difficulties recruiting engineering talent, compared to the Great Britain average of 71%. With up to 20% of the current engineering workforce expected to retire within the next five years, the need to inspire and develop future talent has never been greater.
With the Centre set to open in September 2026, the announcement that Wales's largest college is making such a significant investment in a youth engineering programme is welcome news for Cardiff and the surrounding region. It marks an important step forward in strengthening the area's engineering and manufacturing talent pipeline.
The Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) Advanced Technology Centre is a 13,000-square-metre campus currently under construction near Cardiff Airport, scheduled to open in summer 2027. The STEM Racing Centre of Excellence will move to this location when complete.
Founded in 2000 and supported by Formula 1®, STEM Racing challenges students to design, manufacture and race miniature cars while developing skills in engineering, project management, marketing, finance and teamwork. Operating in more than 70 countries, the programme has inspired thousands of young people to pursue careers in STEM-related fields.
STEM Racing Centres of Excellence form an international network of leading universities and colleges that help schools and students of all backgrounds and resource levels participate in the programme. These centres provide access to specialist equipment, facilities and mentoring, enabling more young people to engage with hands-on engineering experiences.
The Aramco STEM Racing World Finals 2025 taking place in Singapore.
The partnership with STEM Racing will see CAVC equipped with a range of advanced technologies, including a Denford 2600 Pro CNC machine, a STEM Racing x Matrix Compact Open Circuit Sub-Sonic Wind Tunnel, and an official STEM Racing racetrack and race management system. Representing an investment of approximately £40,000, the equipment will enable students aged 11–19 to gain hands-on experience in design, manufacturing, aerodynamics analysis and racing.
The college will also host regular manufacturing workshops and open days, allowing neighbouring schools to design, manufacture and race their cars in preparation for competition events.
CAVC itself is set to compete in the 2026/27 STEM Racing UK season and will enter its own teams into the Welsh Regional Finals, organised by STEM Cymru (EESW). Successful teams will then have the opportunity to progress to the STEM Racing UK National Finals and, from here, to the Aramco STEM Racing World Finals.
STEM Racing students using a Matrix / STEM Racing Wind Tunnel.
Speaking on the partnership, Tom Milner, Project Director at STEM Racing, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Cardiff and Vale College as a STEM Racing Centre of Excellence. As our first Centre of Excellence in Wales, it is incredibly exciting to work together to bring STEM Racing opportunities to more young people across the region. We are confident their students will do a fantastic job when they compete in the challenge and look forward to seeing their progress in the years ahead.”
Dan Lockett, Director of Technology Curriculum Development at Cardiff and Vale College added: “We are incredibly proud for Cardiff and Vale College to become the first STEM Racing Centre of Excellence in Wales. This partnership is about much more than competition; it is about giving young people real access to engineering, manufacturing, design, aerodynamics and teamwork in a way that feels exciting, practical and connected to future careers.
It also forms an important part of our wider One Vale programme, which is focused on strengthening STEM education and skills progression across Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan. By linking schools, the college, industry partners and our future Advanced Technology Centre, we want to create a clear pathway that inspires learners early, supports teachers with specialist equipment and expertise, and helps build the engineering and advanced manufacturing talent pipeline Wales urgently needs.
If we can help more young people see themselves as future engineers, designers, technicians and innovators, then this programme will have a real and lasting impact.”