News : MINI seeking 160 apprentices for 2014

(c) John Cairns

MINI is looking for around 160 young people to take up apprenticeships through its company and dealership schemes in 2014. The new recruits will join over 400 existing apprentices currently undergoing training across the company’s UK operations, with some able to rise beyond NVQ to degree qualifications.

In its MINI UK production network, the business is looking for 49 new apprentices to take up places in August as the plants ramp up production of the F56 MINI (below). In addition, dealerships are looking to recruit around 110 young people across the UK.

Skills and Enterprise Minister, Matthew Hancock, said: ‘It is always encouraging to see large employers, such as BMW, committing to employing more apprentices. This scheme is a great opportunity for a young person with an interest in the automotive sector to begin a rewarding career. I want choosing university or an apprenticeship to be the new norm for young people and the range of positions available demonstrate this is becoming a reality.’

MINI Plant Oxford at Cowley has 31 places available in a variety of areas ranging from finance and logistics to engineering and IT. Technical apprentices will attend Plant Oxford’s new bespoke training school, featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, dedicated computer study areas and a fully-equipped workshop. 

With 10 apprenticeships available at the Swindon pressings plant and a further eight at Hams Hall, 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.

MINI F56

Keith Adams

10 Comments

  1. Why isn’t her hair in a net or under a cap? Why aren’t her sleeves up?

    If that photo is illustrative of the standard of training offered, then god help them…..strange way to operate a those verniers too!

  2. @2 well spotted but it is still good news although I know you have pointed out before the issues with their training.

  3. 1. Hair tied back so that is OK.
    2. If sleeves were meant to be up, the overalls would have short sleeves. The cuffs are fitted. Rolling your sleeves up is only a metaphor!

    Here is a photo of another machine operator and later, my apprentice training officer. Note his cuffs!
    http://doxford-engine.com/images/gallery/16.jpg

    And I know that he was not wearing glasses but that was in the 1950s and the lathe only ran at about 5 rpm, so no cuttings.

  4. Good, maybe they can take on someone at dealer level in their Cooper Franchise in Tun Wells who is able to not only order side glass in less than 2 weeks for a 52 plate MINI but also let Autoglass know what’s happening so they can let there customer know!!!

  5. When I saw the title of the item I thought – I bet within 10 comments we’ll have some the usual ARO negativity.
    Wrong. It was the second comment!
    I don’t suppose the poor girl is even an apprentice – she’s probably ‘body’ shipped in for the picture.

  6. Re 4: Machine shop Week 1 training – long hair to be in net or under cap – sleeves to be rolled up above elbows – no wrist watches, rings, or bracelets to be worn – no ties to be worn – safety glasses to be worn.

    I’ve seen the consequences of failing to follow the rules. Have you?

    Whoever allowed the girl in the photo to work like that would be subject to prosecution in the event of an accident.

  7. As an old time served apprentice of the 60s, I can only say how good to see apprenticeships making a good come back. No comments on the young lady involved but more than a little concerned about the choice of measuring kit and technique. Knife edge vernier not exactly optimum for the job, but she’ll larn. Just hope she is working with generous tolerances. Good for her.

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