News : David Cameron unveils apprentice scheme at Cowley

David Cameron in Oxford

Prime Minister David Cameron joined 600 apprentices and employers from a wide range of UK businesses at MINI’s factory in Cowley to unveil an initiative to reform the way apprenticeships are structured, assessed and delivered in the UK.  Companies, including BMW Group UK, have come together to work with the Government on the design of future apprenticeship programmes.

David Cameron said: ‘If you want an apprenticeship, we’re going to make sure you do the best apprenticeship in the world. The reforms we’re announcing today will put employers in the driving seat and ensure we deliver rigorous training that supports you and our economy for years to come.’

Frank Bachmann, Managing Director of MINI Plant Oxford, said: ‘As a major employer of apprentices, BMW Group is supporting this important skills initiative which is designed to develop the first apprenticeship standards across many industrial sectors including automotive. We’re delighted to host and help launch this new Government programme.’

In 2013, BMW has recruited over 150 young people with a passion for the motor industry to take up apprenticeships available through its company and dealership schemes.  The new recruits have joined over 450 existing apprentices currently undergoing training across the company’s UK manufacturing operations and its BMW and MINI Dealer Network.

Keith Adams

6 Comments

  1. “In 2013, BMW has recruited over 150 young people with a passion for the motor industry to take up apprenticeships available through its company and dealership schemes.”

    Cameron was at the former site of Pressed Steel Fisher, at Cowley. I did my apprenticeship here. This site alone used to recruit 100 apprentices each year – at any one time, the factory had 400 apprentices in total.

    Cameron and BMW spin a good line – a nice sound bite – but their numbers are pathetic.

  2. Their numbers are better than Zero. It’s no wonder people see Britain as a depressing place. you can’t publish good news – and this is good news – without someone putting it down.

  3. That’s fantastic news for apprenticeships in the UK. I get sick of hearing ‘back in the day..’. The UK has not had a structured apprenticeship program for over 40 years in any vocation. So unless you are 60 years of age now, you were bloody lucky to get an apprenticeship in any trade in that time.

    It’s about time someone took the initiative and apprenticeships in the service industry are better than nothing. There won’t be much in manufacturing but it’s a start.

    Well done UK, something for non-tertiary school leavers at last!!

  4. Anything is better than nothing i agree,we need thousands of apprenticeships in the engineering fields-right across the board.

    I’m sorry, i dont agree that apprenticeships in the service industry are better than nothing,its like celebrating a degree for the McDonald s academy- a 2:1 in burger flipping.

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