BMW tops the ton on apprentices

BMW’s Hams Hall engine plant has enrolled its 100th apprentice.

Sixteen-year-old Maintenance Technician apprentice, Maisie McDonnell, joined the business directly from school.

She already had her sights set on a technical career having previously completed BMW’s Girls Go Technical programme, aimed at encouraging more young women into technical apprenticeships, during her Easter holidays.

She said: “The Girls Go Technical programme gave me a great insight into what I could expect from a career in manufacturing within the automotive industry, and I am really excited to be starting my apprenticeship now with BMW.”

Along with her fellow 11 new starters, Maisie was welcomed to the company by Ilka Horstmeier, BMW Group senior vice president, engines and electrified powertrain, who has overall responsibility for BMW Group’s engine manufacturing plants worldwide.

Apprentice and training advisor for the Hams Hall plant, Lucy Healey said: “We are pleased to welcome all of our new starters to our apprenticeship programme. Ensuring we have future talent joining us each year is important for the ongoing success of our plant, and we are committed to placing all those who successfully complete their apprenticeships into permanent roles at the end of their training.”

The plant currently has 33 apprentices on training programmes and a further eight have recently completed their training programme and gained permanent positions.

Maisie McDonnell (front, left) is pictured with Ilka Horstmeier, and some of the other new apprentices.