BMW extends UK apprenticeship scheme

BMW and MINI offers training across UK plants BMW Group is looking for over 150 young people with a passion for the motor industry to take up apprenticeships available through its company and dealership schemes in 2013. The new recruits will join nearly 400 existing apprentices currently undergoing training across the company’s UK operations, and within its BMW and MINI dealer network.  
The business is looking for 45 new apprentices to take up places at its MINI UK production plants in August as they prepare for the next model generation. In addition, BMW and MINI dealerships are looking to recruit around 100 young people across the UK.
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “It is great news that BMW are offering so many more exciting apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are the best way for young people to get the skills both they and their employer needs, while earning a salary, and this scheme demonstrates really well the opportunities that are out there.
“I encourage young people keen to get into the automotive industry to look into this great opportunity, and to other employers, of any size, to consider the benefits that an apprentice could bring to their company.”
MINI Plant Oxford has 32 places available and technical apprentices will attend Plant Oxford’s newly opened training school, featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, dedicated computer study areas and a fully-equipped workshop. Business and IT apprentices will attend Abingdon and Witney College in conjunction with Oxford Brookes University to help deliver the programme.
 With five apprenticeships available at the Plant Swindon pressings plant and a further eight at the Hams Hall engine plant near Birmingham, apprenticeships 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 young people will have the opportunity to progress right through to degree level in the course of their career at MINI.
Frank Bachmann, Managing Director, MINI Plant Oxford and Swindon, said: “Investment in young people is a key part of our development strategy for the plants and it is vital that we attract the very best young talent to ensure the business has the right skills for the future. We are delighted to be able to offer young people the chance to join our modern apprenticeship scheme.”
Young people can apply for an apprenticeship through a new Facebook page, which can be found at www.facebook.com/BmwCareersUK. The closing date for applications is 1 March 2013.
For the 100 apprentices to be recruited to MINI and BMW dealerships, there are programmes in various disciplines ranging from Service Technician, Parts Advisor, Motorcycle Technician and Body Refinish/Paint.
All BMW and MINI apprentices complete the two-year Advanced Modern Apprenticeship at Level 3 and receive VRQ/VCQ qualifications from the Institute of the Motor Industry. Training is carried out at the BMW Group Academy UK, a purpose-built training centre opened in 2006 and located near Reading. In general the minimum entry criteria require between three and four GSCEs at grade C or above (or equivalent).
Commenting on the 2013 intake, 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 100 new apprentices to our award- winning scheme in the UK."