Former MG Rover Group plant staff have started work at BMW’s engine plant at Hams Hall Birmingham.

The staff had just completed the Automotive Academy re-employment training programme and were awarded with ‘skills passports’ which prove to potential employers that the candidate possesses all the key skills to go straight into any production environment.

Nine workers were awarded with passports and the other six will receive theirs next month.

“This is a strong endorsement of the programme we put together and proves there are still opportunities in the UK motor industry for skilled and dedicated workers,' said Alan Begg, chief executive of the Automotive Academy.

“The purpose of this programme is to retain essential expertise within the industry, as well as raise the skills of those actively seeking re-employment.”