BMW Group on the search to hire new talent for manufacturing apprenticeships

BMW Group is on the search for more than 30 young people as part of its continued drive to invest in apprenticeships at the company’s three key UK manufacturing sites in 2016.

The business is looking for new apprentices across its three sites at MINI Plant Oxford, the birthplace and heart of MINI production; Plant Hams Hall near Birmingham, which manufactures highly-efficient engines for BMW and MINI vehicles; and Plant Swindon, which produces pressings and sub-assemblies for MINI.

A rigorous selection process is designed to attract the best candidates who will get the chance to work directly alongside skilled and experienced employees at BMW Group in a wide-range of roles including human resources, finance, logistics, engineering, maintenance and IT.

New recruits will join 224 apprentices already working across all the company’s UK operations. 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 depending on their performance.

Jason Gaskell, Manager of Apprentice Training Programmes at BMW Group UK, said: “At BMW we believe and invest in apprenticeships, they are the major pipeline through which we supply future talent to our business. As we continue to develop and build factories across the world our apprenticeship programme grows in line with this expansion which, altogether, takes on more than 1000 apprentices globally every year.

“An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to begin building your career, not least of which is the fact that you learn while you earn. We’re looking for motivated, enthusiastic and passionate people and we are really keen to see applications from young women who currently are under-represented in the UK’s engineering and manufacturing industries”

Helen Evans, 22 from Headington, who is working as engineering apprentice at MINI Plant Oxford, said: “After completing a degree in political science and international relations I came to the conclusion that what I really wanted to be was an engineer. I decided to apply for an apprenticeship as I realised that it is the best way to get a really good foundation for my future career in BMW.

"I am also really happy in the fact that I am being paid whilst continuing to develop my skills. I am currently in the first year of my apprenticeship, which has been a fantastic experience so far and I’m aiming to continue working hard to build my career as an engineer of the future.”

Apprenticeships last between three and four years and cover a wide range of areas to help equip young people with the skills to enable successful careers in the automotive sector.

Technical apprentices who undertake placements at Oxford, will attend MINI Plant Oxford’s bespoke training school, featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, dedicated computer study areas and a fully-equipped workshop.

Between 2012 and 2015 BMW Group will have invested a further £750 million in its Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall plants, taking investment in UK production to £1.75 billion since 2000.

To find out more about apprenticeship and other employment opportunities at BMW Group please visit: https://bmwgroup.jobs/en_gb/home or www.facebook.com/BmwCareersUK 

Note to editors:

The closing date for applications is 20th March 2016. Apprenticeships start in August 2016

Applicant’s need five GCSEs grade C or equivalent in Maths, Science and English, with an additional GCSE in a subject related to the chosen skill profession. Business, IT and Technician schemes require five GCSEs at grade B, or appropriate A-levels.