BMW Group UK encourages girls to go technical

Girls have an exciting and unique opportunity to follow Mini production from body panels to engine building to a completed car rolling off the line on BMW Group UK's 2014 Girls Go Technical programme. The programme encourages young females aged between
15-24 to consider a technical career within automotive manufacturing and will run during half-term from October 27-31, 2014 at the three plants in the company's Mini and BMW UK production network in Birmingham, Oxford and Swindon.

"Investment in young people is a key part of our development strategy for our manufacturing plants. The automotive industry is still considered as a more appropriate career path for boys and our programme is designed to address this inequality and attract more girls to consider a technical career in this field," said Simon Farrall, Head of Apprentice and Associate Training, BMW Group UK.

"On completion of the programme, the participants will have gained an insight into the manufacturing processes and experienced the day-to-day challenges encountered by engineers and technical apprentices as well as augmenting their interview and job application skills."

The girls will spend four days at the heart of Mini and BMW's UK production network not only at the manufacturing site closest to their home region for in-depth work experience but also touring Mini Plant Oxford where they will see Minis being built. 

All participants will have the opportunity to take part in activities in the Oxford plant's bespoke training school featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, dedicated computer study areas and a fully-equipped workshop.

"Working in the car manufacturing industry is an absolutely amazing experience," said Rebecca Pallet, a current apprentice at Mini Plant Oxford. "I've always wanted to be able to build cars and with BMW Group's support I can now pursue my dreams. I hope my example will encourage other girls to apply for our apprenticeship programme."

Now in its second year, the Girls Go Technical programme is a part of the annual UK government-industry initiative 'See Inside Manufacturing'.

The entry criteria for the programme are four GCSEs at grade A-C to include Maths, English and one science subject and predicted grades will be accepted.

Posted in: Apprentice Programme,Apprenticeship Programme,Assembly/Manufacturing Plant,BMW,BMW UK,Europe,Mini,United Kingdom