Manufacturing


Report shows automotive jobs are ‘at risk’ from Brexit


A major new report says that thousands of automotive, rail and aerospace jobs across the country are at risk as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union. Academic researchers and industry experts at Birmingham City University’s Centre for Brexit Studies have issued the warning after analysing the transport manufacturing industries and their supply chains. The report – ‘Brexit and UK Auto,


Rail and Aerospace: Understanding Logistics and Supply Chain’ – claims the auto, rail and aerospace supply chains in the West Midlands are ‘increasingly fragile’ given their dependency on the Channel Tunnel and a handful of ports, mostly in the South East. The research, funded by West Midlands


Combined Authority, has found that car and other transport related manufacturers and suppliers in the Midlands are vulnerable because of dependency on Jaguar Land Rover and also their reliance on the Channel Tunnel and four ports; Liverpool, Southampton, Immingham and Felixstowe. These companies also have a high dependency on


EU workers, who make up an average 31 per cent of the workforce. The research was launched last month along with


‘Carmageddon? Brexit and Beyond for UK Auto’. This is a book by academics which links analysis of the likely impact of Brexit to wider global trends affecting the vehicle manufacturing sector. Transport manufacturing industries continue to be


of vital importance to the UK economy. In 2018, UK auto alone was directly worth £16.9bn to the economy and represented more than nine per cent of total UK manufacturing. Professor Alex de Ruyter (pictured),


director of the Centre for Brexit Studies and co-author of ‘Carmageddon?’, said: “If even a small proportion of traffic from the Channel Tunnel gets rerouted, it will cause an increase in port traffic elsewhere, placing additional strains on an underfunded regional rail and


road network. “The West Midlands employs over 50,000


people in automotive alone and another 20,000 in related sectors. Our analysis suggests that tens of thousands of jobs in the sector would be exposed in the event of a hard Brexit. “For policymakers then, the lesson is clear that any


trade agreement with the EU needs to ensure minimal disruption to the supply chain operations of our manufacturers which looks increasingly fragile in the current economic and political climate.”


BMW in search for apprentices


More than 30 new apprenticeships are being offered by BMW Group’s Hams Hall engine manufacturing plant near Birmingham. The company launched the


recruitment drive at an event held at the plant, attended by more than 20 teachers and careers advisors. The teachers were also invited to


spend the afternoon at the engine production plant to learn in more detail about the apprenticeships. Presentations were also provided


by several current apprentices alongside those who have completed their training and are now in full-time roles. Simon Farrall, head of apprentice


and associate training for BMW Group UK, said: “A place on our apprenticeship programme is a fantastic way of fast-tracking a career here at the BMW Group. “The pace of technological


change, product innovation and the electrification of new vehicles makes it a really exciting time for new apprentices to be joining us. “Working in some of the most


advanced manufacturing locations in the UK, alongside some of the most experienced people in the industry, we’re looking for applicants with the motivation and


New openings: Natalie Bracher, careers adviser at Kingsbury School (centre), at the apprenticeships event with Hams Hall apprentices Lewis Adams (left) and Annabel Chivers


ideas to drive our company forward.” Apprenticeships last between


two and four years and cover a wide range of areas to help equip people with the skills they need for a successful career in the automotive sector. Apprentice training results in a Level 2 or a Level 3 Competency Qualification.


Depending on the role, applicants will need a minimum of four or five GCSEs at Grade 3 or 5 or above, including maths and English. For engineering and business degree apprenticeships, applicants will also need relevant higher qualifications. Entries are open until 28


February. Apprentice Dave Loveridge


Tool firm takes on apprentice


BSA Tools has taken on its first new apprentice in almost 20 years, after being rescued from administration. Since its rescue in 2017, the new


BSA Tools company has created 15 new jobs and turned its focus towards emerging talent. Among those taken on by the


company is Dave Loveridge, a 24- year-old former mechanic, from Chelmsley Wood. He is combining a two-year


apprenticeship at BSA’s Kitts Green plant, alongside six months intensive study at Make UK, the new name for the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF), which is based in Witton. The business, which supplies and


repairs milling machines and lathes used in a wide range of industries all over the world, was bought out of administration in 2017. It was once a major player in UK manufacturing, and as part of this was one of the world’s biggest motorcycle makers. Mr Loveridge said: “This is great opportunity for me to learn traditional engineering and manufacturing skills from one of the UK’s most iconic companies. “I’ve always been good with my


hands and have worked in a number of different jobs. But it’s here that I feel I have a real chance of learning the life-long skills that will help me shape my own future.” Lee Greensall, manager at BSA


Tools Ltd, said: “Dave is the first apprentice to be taken on by the business in the last two decades and, with our expansion strategy, he will not be the last – we have big plans.” In addition to growing its own


apprentice scheme, BSA Tools is also working with colleges to bolster apprenticeship training and the active promotion of science, technology, engineering and manufacturing (STEM) subjects.


March 2020 CHAMBERLINK 79


Sector Focus


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