Human Resources

ROLES IN F1

Human Resources specialists are responsible for recruiting, screening, interviewing and placing workers. They may also handle employee relations, payroll, benefits, and training. Human Resources Managers plan, direct and coordinate the administrative functions of an organisation.

INTRO

If you’re thinking of working in Human Resources in F1, there are a few things to consider, and you need to make sure that a career in Human Resources matches your interests and skills.  Hopefully the following information will help you when it comes to deciding on the right career path for you.  Disclaimer – the information below is not intended to be a replacement for professional careers advice.

TRAITS

  • You are likely to have very good interpersonal skills
  • You may have an interest in helping other people succeed
  • You will be skilled in identifying peoples strengths and weaknesses
  • You’re a team player, but can also work equally well on your own
  • You are likely to be a very good communicator and have good motivational skills
  • You will be able to present your idea clearly and succinctly to other people
  • You will be very good at multi-tasking, and have good leadership skills
  • Enjoy staying up to date with the latest HR news and trends

TYPICAL ROLES

There are a variety of roles available within the Human Resources department of a Formula 1 team.  These might include:

  • Talent Acquisition This type of role will typically involve the day to day recruitment and induction of new and potential employees
  • HR Officer This role typically is responsible for the welfare of the existing employees. It may cover training, welfare and disciplinary processes. It may also cover some payroll functions.
  • HR Manager This role is typically responsible for the overall management of the HR function within an organisation.

WHAT TO STUDY

Listed below are some study paths you could consider.  Also, consider a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) as many employers will find this highly desirable.  However, please make sure you also speak with your school/college/University careers advisor who will be able to provide help and support to you during this important time.


GCSE’s:

Maths
English
Business Studies
Psychology
IT
Modern Foreign Languages


A Levels:

English
Business Studies
Law
Psychology
Modern Foreign Languages

Further training courses

CIPD

If you intend to go to University, please check with the admissions department of your preferred University to ensure that the A Level subjects you choose are acceptable for the course you wish to take, before you choose which A Levels you’d like to do. 

Further information on choosing the right A Levels for your future aspirations can be found here: https://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/for-students/school-and-college-in-the-uk/subject-choices-at-school-and-college/

UNIVERSITY

You don’t necessarily need a degree to secure a job in HR, however, a degree in business management, economics, finance, HR or psychology may improve your chances of securing your preferred role.

University Courses to consider (in no particular order):

University of Leeds – Human Resources Management
Lancaster University – Management and Human Resources
University of Manchester – Management (Human Resources)
Robert Gordon University Aberdeen – Management with Human Resource Management
University of Surrey – Business Management (Human Resource Management)

INTERESTING WEBSITES

BOOKS

CASE STUDY:

Katherine Baylis
Human Resources Recruitment Advisor
McLaren Racing

My job is to attract and retain the best talent in the industry. F1 would be nothing without the hundreds of people who design build and operate the cars and in my role I hunt them down and then try to help make working for our team feel like just that – a team. Keep reading…

AERODYNAMICS INSPIRATION: