Swindon's MINI car plant is set to benefit under plans by owner BMW to increase apprenticeships at its UK factories and showrooms.
Total apprenticeships at the car firm will increase to 200 this year, including 11 at its Swindon plant, which presses body panels for all MINIs.
Across its three manufacturing sites – Swindon, Oxford and Hams Hall, near Birmingham, apprentice intake will double this year to 70 places at as the plants prepare for the next model generation.
In addition, BMW and MINI dealerships are looking to recruit around 130 young people across the UK.
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 apprentices will have the opportunity to progress right through to degree level in the course of their career at MINI.
MINI Plant Oxford managing director Dr Juergen Hedrich said: “Investment in young people is a key part of our development strategy for the plants; therefore we are delighted to be able to offer young people the chance to join our modern apprenticeship scheme.”
BMW and MINI dealerships in the UK will be recruiting around 130 apprentices in 2012. The programmes are in various disciplines ranging from Service Technician Apprentice, Parts Advisor Apprentice, Motorcycle Technician Apprentice and Body Refinish/Paint Apprentices.
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).
BMW Group UK managing director Tim Abbott 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 130 new apprentices to our award- winning scheme in the UK."
