Author: The Greenpower Team
How hands‑on STEM experiences spark real engineering careers
This National Apprenticeship Week, Greenpower Education Trust is highlighting how young people can take their first steps into engineering with a toolkit, a race car, and the chance to learn by doing.
Few stories capture this better than that of Ishraq Chowdhury, now a third‑year Higher Apprentice at Ford, whose path into engineering began not in a classroom, but behind the wheel (and under the bodywork!) of a Greenpower electric race car.
From Tower Hamlets to Ford: A journey powered by opportunity
Growing up in Tower Hamlets, Ishraq didn’t have easy access to engineering spaces or hands‑on STEM opportunities. That changed when his college introduced him to the Greenpower Programme in 2022. As he recalls:
“When I heard about the Greenpower Programme a flame ignited in me; I was excited to build a car from scratch and have the opportunity to race it.”
What began as curiosity quickly became a passion. Ishraq and his teammates dismantled and rebuilt a donated car, learning the fundamentals of electric vehicle engineering along the way. Their early races were filled with trial, error, and rapid learning, finishing fourth in their first outing, then refining the car’s weight, throttle, and battery management to climb the rankings.
Their hard work paid off when they won their class at the Greenpower International Finals.
Engineering skills that translate into careers
The Greenpower experience didn’t just teach Ishraq how to build a car, it taught him how to think like an engineer. He learned to problem‑solve under pressure, collaborate effectively, and adapt quickly when things went wrong.
He remembers one pivotal moment: “Just before our last race, someone accidentally short‑circuited the battery… there was no blaming or shouting, just everyone focusing on fixing the issue.”
These experiences became invaluable when Ishraq applied for the competitive Ford degree apprenticeship.
“In my interview I was able to draw on lots of practical examples from my Greenpower experiences. I realised that I had quite a bit of practical engineering, and life experience at a young age.”
He secured the apprenticeship at 18 and is now thriving in Ford’s Battery Arrays Team.
A programme that opens doors and gives back
Greenpower’s impact doesn’t end when students leave school. Many alumni, like Ishraq, return to support the next generation. Now working at Ford—a long‑standing Greenpower partner—he volunteers at the annual Ford Dunton Heat and contributes to discussions about the programme’s future.
“It’s been rewarding to give back and show others how Greenpower can open doors into engineering. These experiences truly help build a career and give you real tangible engineering skills.”
Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week
National Apprenticeship Week is a reminder of the power of alternative pathways into STEM careers. Greenpower’s work continues to prove its impact year after year, as shown through alumni like Ishraq.
His story is one of many: young people discovering their potential, gaining real‑world skills, and stepping confidently into careers that shape the future of engineering.
And it all starts with a kit car, a team, and the belief that hands‑on STEM experiences can change lives.
