A chance to ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ for Oxfordshire students

In addition a tour of the plant, students have had the opportunity to see the plant’s brand new training school which opened this week.

Featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, dedicated computer study areas and a fully-equipped workshop, the training school represents BMW Group’s continued investment into apprenticeships and training in the UK. The school will be used by MINI Plant Oxford’s apprentices and by its 3,700 employees and will allow the plant to tailor training to its specific technical needs.

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

“The opening of the new training school is a clear indication of how important skills are to us.

 “Apprenticeships are highly valued by the plant for the unique blend of knowledge, skills and practical experience they offer. We hope that by giving young people an insight into Plant Oxford, many will be encouraged to apply for an apprenticeship here.”

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

Business Minister Michael Fallon, said: “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 events in November at the MINI Plant in Oxford with 100 students from across Oxfordshire build on the successful ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ events held at the BMW Group manufacturing sites in 2011 and 2012. 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. Schools from across Oxfordshire visited Plant Oxford during the whole of this week.

Apprentice training leads to an NVQ level three qualification and some apprentices will have the opportunity to progress right through to degree level. There are currently more than 160 apprentices across the company’s production plants at Oxford, Swindon, Hams Hall, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited in Goodwood. Apprenticeships take between three and four years and cover a wide range of professional skills from human resources and business administration to electrical maintenance and engineering.

Young people will now be able to apply for an apprenticeship through a new Facebook page, which launches today at www.facebook.com/BmwCareersUK.