The Honda Institute Holds A See Inside Manufacturing Open Day

The Honda Institute in Colnbrooke, home of Honda's apprentice and management training facility, played host to teachers and careers advisors from throughout the South of England as part of of Honda's commitment to the 'See Inside Manufacturing' initiative.

The open day provided educators and advisors an in depth understanding of the career path options offered by the automotive industry, accounting for around 700,000 jobs in the UK.

The event was supported by Honda apprentices and graduates, who talked about their jobs, giving insight into why the decided on their career path. The apprentices who attended were John Couldridge (21) and Alex Knight (19) who are both WorldSkills London 2011 finalists - John being awarded the final place on Team UK earlier this week - and represent the best young technicians that the UK has to offer.

Honda (UK)'s Government Affairs and Environment Manager, Kate Saxton said: "Today was an excellent chance for Honda (UK)'s associates to demonstrate what a vibrant and inspiring place the automotive industry is to work in. Honda offers a very diverse range of career opportunities and it supports and encourages anyone who wishes to take their career in a different direction - our own Vice-President of Honda Motor Europe Ltd, Ken Keir, started his working life as an apprentice and worked his way up to where he is today."

Business Secretary Vince Cable said of the See Inside Manufacturing programme: "It is an important step in giving teachers and careers advisers the opportunity to see, first-hand, the essential role that industry plays across the UK to help us achieve the sort of sustainable and balanced economic growth that the country needs.

"The Government is investing in more apprenticeships than ever before. Together with industry we must inspire more young people to see manufacturing and engineering as a viable and exciting career choice.

“We also need to ensure that UK manufacturing can take on its competitors head on and make the next decade one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial periods in our history."

An average 100 apprentices are recruited by Honda each year, supplying its dealer network with skilled and trained technicians. It also offers a range of tailored training programmes to all associates throughout their careers.