Ministers Visit Engineering Session For Young Women At Oxford’s MINI Plant
Skills and enterprise minister Matthew Hancock visited MINI Plant Oxford to meet 30 young women from all over the UK as part of a government drive to encourage female students to consider an engineering career.
He was joined by employment minister Esther McVey to meet participants in the Girls Go Technical programme, part of a taster in the government-industry ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative. BMW Group’s manufacturing sites at Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall, Birmingham opened their doors to give school students a chance to learn about the industry, what engineering’s about, while gaining experience from females in industry.
Mr Hancock was introduced to second-year Oxford apprentice, Philippa Napier, who showed him around the plant’s training school and introduced him to young women trying a range of engineering challenges.
Mr Hancock said: “It was great to meet so many engaged young people keen to learn what a career in the automotive sector’s like. See Inside Manufacturing’ gives them the chance to see how manufacturing works, dispelling myths about factories and inspiring the next generation of engineers.”
Simon Farrall, head of apprentice and associate training for BMW Group UK, who hosted the visit said: “We’re delighted the Minister could visit our training facility and meet some of our current and potential female apprentices. We hope they’ll see the range of opportunities. We want to explode the myth engineering isn’t for women.”
Philippa Napier said: “Girls are often put off pursuing a career in this industry. There are many opportunities in manufacturing. I hope more young women will be tempted to give it a go.”
Young people interested in careers at BMW can learn more at www.facebook.com/BmwCareersUK.
(PICTURED: Mr Hancock with the apprentices)