Honda – The Power of Dreams

A Honda apprenticeship could literally be just the job when it comes to making your automotive career wishes come true.

With Honda the possibilities are endless, truly. Founded in the late 1940s the Japanese company has become a multinational corporation and one of the automotive industry’s hardest hitters.

It produces an enormous range of quality products: cars, motorcycles, outboard boat motors, robotics, solar energy panels and jet aircrafts.

But where can you fit in to such a huge organisation? For someone looking from the outside in, the possibility of a career with a global name such as Honda can be daunting or even scary.

Moving On spent a day with current apprentices and staff at The Honda Institute, Honda’s technical, commercial & product training facility in Slough, west of London. We soon found out there was nothing scary about what is an industry-leading apprenticeship programme with an ‘outstanding’ report from Ofsted.

For potential applicants, Honda’s guidelines of three GCSEs at grade D or above in any subject (or equivalent) might not seem too challenging, but no grades are a substitute for passion and determination.

Gary Short, Apprentice Training Co-ordinator, made it clear that grades are not always the most important part of an application, “We do have the guidelines set, but what we are really looking for is the quality of person.

“If you have got the drive to make a success of yourself and a passion for whichever programme it is you’re interested in then it will be recognised in your interview, and that’s what really counts!”

The manufacturer’s purpose-built £2.4-million Honda Institute is home to five different apprenticeship programmes specifically in cars, motorcycles, ATVs, lawn and garden or parts.

The different programmes vary in length from two to three years with all apprentices starting with the basics of service and maintenance, eventually building up to include the diagnosis and repair of Honda products. Included on every programme is functional/core skills – giving graduates the versatile skills they need for future life.

You won’t be expected to relocate closer to the facility either, you will be learning on the job as a paid employee with your local dealership and attending the Honda Institute a week at a time, two to eight times a year with all your accommodation needs catered for. During your apprenticeship you will receive first-class support from a Honda Apprentice & Technician Development Manager as well as a workplace mentor.

The Honda Institute has produced 80-100 apprentice graduates each year since 2001. And if you’re expecting a smelly, dirty, glorified garage of a building then prepare to be amazed!

The 45,000-square foot facility includes a number of classrooms, computer suites, offices and a canteen. Then there is the appropriately-named ‘Wow Door’, where when you walk out onto the balcony you see a fantastic space filled with all the latest Honda products and technology solely for your learning pleasure.

Working alongside sector skills and industry bodies such as The Institute of the Motor Industry and The Learning Skills Council, Honda deliver an apprenticeship programme not to be scared of, but to be excited about!

So dream the impossible dream and see what you can achieve with Honda!

The first thing to do is to make contact with the Honda Apprenticeship Team. It’s all very simple and straightforward.

www.hondapeople.co.uk

The Honda Apprenticeship Programme is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all employees, learners and potential learners on the Honda Apprenticeship Programme. The commitment is the fair treatment for all employees, potential employees and learners, regardless of race, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability, age, responsibilities for dependents and offending background. The Honda Apprenticeship Programme seeks to actively train and develop all employees and learners in order to bring forward their diverse skills, aptitudes and talents in ways, which will benefit both the individual and the organisation. The active implementation of the Equality & Diversity Policy and associated policies work to combat discrimination and promote positive action for disadvantaged and under represented groups.