News & Resources

A chance to ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ for Swindon students

17 Dec 2012

Secondary school students from across Swindon and Wiltshire will have the chance to witness car manufacturing at first hand when they visit MINI Plant Swindon.

As well as a tour of the plant, students will be given the opportunity to meet apprentices and discuss the wide-ranging apprenticeship schemes run there.

From today, applying for an apprenticeship at Plant Swindon has been made easier following the launch of a new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BmwCareersUK.

Frank Bachmann, managing director of MINI Plant Oxford and MINI Plant Swindon, said: “The training and development of young people is a vital aspect of our role and responsibility as an employer.

“The apprenticeship scheme benefits the business by developing highly-skilled employees that are perfectly matched to our operational needs. Apprenticeships are highly valued by us for the unique blend of knowledge, skills and practical experience they offer.

 “We hope that by giving young people an insight into the interesting and rewarding career opportunities at Plant Swindon, many will be encouraged to apply for an apprenticeship here.”

The ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ programme is part of a Government initiative launched in 2011, aimed at showcasing career opportunities within the UK automotive sector.

The scheme underlines the importance of the automotive sector to the UK economy as well as the diversity and attractiveness of the careers it has to offer.

Business Minister Michael Fallon said that “The success of the ongoing government and industry ‘See inside Manufacturing’ programme lies in giving teachers, career advisers and young people the opportunity to experience for themselves the challenge and excitement of modern manufacturing processes.

“Companies in the automotive sectors like BMW need a wide range of technical and other skills and can offer extremely rewarding career opportunities in a modern and inspiring working environment in return.”

The training at Plant Swindon leads to an NVQ level three qualification with some apprentices having the opportunity to progress through to degree level.

There are currently more than 160 apprentices across the company’s production plants at Swindon, Oxford, Hams Hall, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited in Goodwood.

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

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