In the last in our series about National Apprentice Week, we look at the success of the scheme at Honda.

HONDA'S apprenticeship scheme has proven so popular among aspiring engineers of the future that it has been forced to extend its programme this year after receiving a record number of applications.

Off the back of the success of becoming Honda’s global production hub for the new Civic, the Swindon-based car factory is midway through recruiting September’s intake of apprentices.

This year Honda received the highest volume of apprenticeship applications since the introduction of the programme in 1999. Honda’s European flagship production facility is looking to train the next generation of engineers to support ongoing company success.

Currently, the apprentices enrol on to the Technical Engineering - Mechatronics Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme. This four-year programme consists of a combination of on-the-job training and class-based learning to ensure apprentices develop the necessary broad range of technical skills and experience required.

In September Honda will introduce a second apprenticeship scheme. The new Toolmaking Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme will develop Tool and Die Maintenance Technicians that will be responsible for maintaining the specialist tooling that is in use throughout the site.

Jason Smith, director at Honda UK Manufacturing, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be introducing the new Toolmaking Trailblazer Apprenticeship this year.

"It is brilliant to see such a high number of applications and these candidates will be joining extremely rewarding programmes at a very exciting time for Honda.”

Honda has been investing in engineering apprenticeship training for the past 18 years with more than 170 apprentices completing the programme over that period.