THE next generation of Oxford Mini plant workers will spend this week learning the craft of creating the modern classic as part of a work placement.

Some 17 students from UTC Oxfordshire, based in Harwell, have begun their work experience in departments across the Cowley plant, which broke records for the number of Mini sold last year.

Under the eagle eye of Mini workers, the students - aged between 15 and 16 - will work and watch the Mini come alive through the Body in White factory, Paintshop and Assembly line.

Steve Houseman, a general manager at Mini Plant Oxford and a governor at UTC Oxfordshire, said: "The future talent pipeline is so important for our company, ensuring we have the right people with the right skills coming into the organisation.

"Working with the UTC, we can help in the development of the students so that they are much better prepared for when they move into the world of work.

"It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to accommodate so many students this year and I’m sure they’ll find the experience worthwhile.

"Hopefully they will want to come back again in the future and perhaps even make a career here at Plant Oxford."

A Mini spokesman added: "Work experience placements can be invaluable when applying for apprenticeships with the company and we have staff in senior positions who’ve taken precisely this route in their career."

The students will also visit the Quality & Engineering Centre, as well as in other areas of the business such as HR, IT and finance as part of the company's work experience programme.

Student Goncalo Tjim, 15 from Oxford, said: "My group at UTC won a project competition to redesign the Mini dashboard, which gave me opportunity to come and see the plant earlier in the year. It's great to come back for a whole week and see what happens and to gain first-hand experience on the assembly line. I'm considering a career in either automotive or aerospace engineering and having work experience at the Mini plant gives me a better chance to find out what suits me best."

More than 70 students have already completed work experience at Plant Oxford & Plant Swindon this year. The total is expected to rise to around 300 by the end of 2016, which will be the highest number to date.

Owain Johns, principal at UTC Oxfordshire, said: "It is fantastic to see so many of our students being able to take up this exciting opportunity within a top engineering company.

"The work experience placements they have provided will give our students a real experience of work, which will be very beneficial to them as they prepare for their future careers. We look forward to hearing how they get on."

Work experience placements run throughout the year and the minimum age for taking part is 14.