The first wave of students have completed BMW’s manufacturer training at its plant in Hams Hall, north Warwickshire.

The initiative was created in a collaboration between Blue Arrow, a recruitment agency, BMW and Sutton Coldfield College.

Mike Beasley, Learning and Skills Council chairman, awarded the 18 students with their NVQ 2 in performing manufacturing operations certificate at an award ceremony at the BMW plant at Hams Hall in north Warwickshire today.

Beasley said: “The importance of vocational qualifications in addressing skills shortages at local and national level cannot be overstated and I am delighted to recognise the success of Blue Arrow’s employees.

“They have every right to be proud of their achievements. This initiative to train flexible workers reflects well on the employer's and the region’s determination to create the highly skilled workforce it needs to compete successfully on the world stage.”

There will be 41 more Blue Arrow associates that will complete the BMW training course next months, with plans to widen the training scheme further before December.

Blue Arrow provides flexible workforce to the automotive industry in the UK and works with BMW, Toyota and LDV.