Recruitment agency Blue Arrow Managed Services, car manufacturer BMW and Sutton Coldfield College have teamed up to offer training opportunities to Blue Arrow employees and improve their manufacturing skills.

To date, 18 Blue Arrow Managed Services associates — flexible employees who are currently working at the BMW engine plant at Hams Hall — have gained national vocational qualifications at NVQ level 2 in Performing Manufacturing Operations, following the government’s recent initiative to encourage more people to undergo vocational training. This is the first step in a longer-term partnership designed to see a further 41 Blue Arrow Managed Services associates complete the course next month, with plans to broaden involvement further by December.

The NVQ2 training programme takes place in the workplace. It covers lean manufacturing principles, health and safety, and quality in manufacturing. Workshops in literacy and numeracy are also held to support each individual’s training needs. The programme will be reviewed in September, and there are plans to expand the project next year.