BMW wants to encourage more women to take up apprenticeships.

The car manufacturer is offering more than 40 places for trainees to start in August at its Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall sites, in maintenance, engineering, IT and business roles.

And the Girls Go Technical programme, which starts on February 18 is aimed at specifically at females aged between 15 to 24 considering an apprenticeship in the automotive industry.

The plant in Swindon, off Swindon Road, produces pressings of doors and other parts for BMW and Mini cars.

Simon Farrall, head of apprentice and associate training for the group said: “We see apprentices as the future leaders of our business and many of our most experienced people started out this way.

“If you have a passion to solve problems, like working in a team and can rise to a challenge, then we want to hear from you.”

Applications for the apprenticeships are open until 13 March and will start in August.

The on-the-job training programme lasts three or four years. Contact BMW for full details on applications.