The importance of apprenticeships and vocational training in advanced engineering will be the theme of accountants Monahans’ next manufacturing breakfast in Swindon.
The event, the latest to be staged in support of Swindon’s manufacturing sector by Monahans, takes place at UTC Swindon, Bristol Street, on April 16, starting at 7.30am. 
BMW head of apprentice and associate training Dr Simon Farrell will discuss the car manufacturer’s apprenticeship programme, which attained the highest grade of ‘outstanding’ from Ofsted.
His talk, called ‘Providing enviable positions in an ever changing automotive world’ will look at how BMW’s Swindon pressings plant has benefitted from its apprenticeship programme.
The plant, one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe, makes most of the body panel sections for BMW’s Mini.
Joining Simon will be two current BMW apprentices, who will speak about the training they’ve received and the career opportunities open to them. The apprentices will also discuss the responsibilities and benefits of working for a globally-recognised brand.
The number of people undertaking engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships has risen by 52% since 2009, according to Government figures, as more people see it as the most viable opportunity to start a career in the industry.
Monahans partner Martin Longmore said: “The topics we’ll be discussing revolve around apprenticeships and vocational training. It is fantastic to have speakers from such a prestigious company like BMW attending the event, speaking about a topic that will have a great impact on the manufacturing industry for years to come.
“UTC Swindon and its facility pay homage to the past, present and future of the manufacturing and engineering industries in Swindon and the theme of the event ties in perfectly with the college.”
UTC Swindon, which opened last September, occupies a £10m state-of-the-art facility. Part of the original Great Western Rail works, the site links the engineering history with the engineering future of the area. As a partner of UTC Swindon, Monahans – one of the largest accountancy firms in the west of England – hosted UTC Swindon’s first business partnership evening at the college.
UTC Swindon caters for 600 students, aged 14 to 19, interested in pursuing a career in engineering.
Monahans works with many clients in the manufacturing sector and recognises the huge importance of manufacturing to the UK economy. It has 13 partners and around 120 across its offices in Bath, Chippenham, Glastonbury, Swindon, Frome and Trowbridge.
The Monahans Manufacturing Breakfast is free to attend. Contact Zoe Meaden at Monahans on 01793 818300 or email marketing@monahans.co.uk.
