HONDA SET TO DOUBLE NUMBER OF APPRENTICES

Honda of the UK Manufacturing gears up to extend its apprenticeship programme for 2017 after receiving a record number of applications.

Off the back of the success of becoming Honda's global production hub for the new Civic, the Swindon-based factory is midway through recruiting September's intake of new apprentices. This year, Honda received the highest volume of apprenticeship applications since the introduction of the programme in 1999. Honda's European flagship production facility is looking to train the next generation of engineers to support ongoing company success.

Currently, the apprentices enrol on to the Technical Engineering - Mechatronics Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme. This four-year programme consists of a combination of on the job training and class-based learning to ensure apprentices develop the necessary broad range of technical skills and experience required.

In September 2017, Honda will introduce a second apprenticeship scheme. The new Toolmaking Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme will develop Tool and Die Maintenance Technicians that will be responsible for maintaining the specialist tooling that is in use throughout the site.

Jason Smith, Director at Honda of the UK Manufacturing, says: "We're incredibly excited to be introducing the new Toolmaking Trailblazer Apprenticeship this year. It is brilliant to see such a high number of applications and these candidates will be joining extremely rewarding programmes at a very exciting time for Honda."

Honda has been investing in Engineering Apprenticeship Training for the past 18 years with more than 170 apprentices successfully completing the programme to date.