Hexagon and Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing Launch Global Talent Hunt for…

Event summary

Hexagon and Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing launched the 2026 Future Skills Challenge, a global online competition to identify talent for digital manufacturing roles.
The challenge is open worldwide until October 21, 2026, with no engineering or manufacturing background required.
Prizes include a Fanatec sim rig and participation in the invitation-only Future Skills Forum at the Red Bull Technology Campus in Milton Keynes, UK.
The challenge tests race telemetry reading, logic, and time-critical problem-solving through 10 questions set with British Mensa.
Hexagon will announce its pilot Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing program at the Future Skills Forum on November 17, 2026.

The big picture

Hexagon's initiative addresses the critical need for digital skills in manufacturing amid rising youth unemployment and a looming talent shortage. By leveraging the transferable skills from sim racing, the company aims to create clearer pathways into high-tech manufacturing careers. This strategy aligns with broader industry efforts to modernize recruitment and training in response to rapid technological advancements.

What we're watching

Talent Pipeline Development: Whether Hexagon's approach can effectively bridge the skills gap in digital manufacturing by tapping into non-traditional talent pools.
Industry Collaboration: The extent to which partnerships with esports organizations can become a standard talent acquisition strategy in manufacturing.
Program Scalability: The pace at which Hexagon can expand its Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing program based on the success of the Future Skills Challenge.