BMW boosts offer of apprenticeships (From Swindon Advertiser)

BMW boosts offer of apprenticeships

3:20pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Local By Josh Layton

BMW has opened up another 11 apprenticeship schemes in Swindon as production is stepped up at its Mini pressings plant.

The traineeships are part of about 200 nationally being offered by the German car giant at factories and dealerships.

Three UK Mini production sites will offer 70 of the positions — double the intake of last year — as they prepare for the next generation of the classic cars.

The Oxford plant is adding 35 places and another 24 will be opened up at the Hams Hall engine factory, near Birmingham.

The Swindon plant, in Bridge End Road, employs 1,200 people, including four apprentices.

Traineeships last between three and four years and cover a wide range of skills from human resources and business to electrical maintenance and engineering.

The training leads to an NVQ level three qualification and some apprentices will have the opportunity to progress to degree level in the course of their career at Mini.

Luke Roberts, an engineering technician apprentice at Mini plant Swindon, said: “Before I chose to undertake an apprenticeship, I was studying Spanish and business at university. However, I found it increasingly difficult to motivate myself as I didn't have a clear goal.

“So I turned to engineering as I’ve always been interested in how things work. I was pleased to gain a place as an engineering technician apprentice at plant Swindon.

“During my apprenticeship I’ve covered a variety of different areas, including two days a week in the college workshop to undergo practical activities. I now find it easier to motivate myself, as I have a clear goal and can see how I want my career to progress.”

Tim Abbott, managing director of BMW Group UK, said: “Bringing new talent and fresh thinking into our dealerships is vital to allow us to provide the best possible service for our customers and so I am delighted that we will welcome around 130 new apprentices to our award-winning scheme in the UK.”

The new-look Mini will be built at Cowley factory as part of a £500m investment in production facilities.