Industrial Sewing Level 2 Apprenticeship

BMW; Chichester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury automotive manufacturer in Chichester is offering an Industrial Sewing Level 2 Apprenticeship. This two-year program provides hands-on experience in crafting high-quality interiors using various materials. Apprentices will train at Chichester College while shadowing experienced colleagues. No prior qualifications or experience are required; however, an interest in textiles and crafts is encouraged. Opportunities for personal and career development await after the apprenticeship, along with competitive pay and exciting benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary with six-month reviews

Access to discounts scheme and subsidised on-site restaurant

Investment in vocational and professional training

Opportunities for international placements

Qualifications

• No qualification or experience in sewing required, but an interest in the profession is strongly advised.
• GCSE in English and Maths suggested to be achieved before starting the apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

• Complete a team building experience with other apprentices.
• Train in industrial sewing and develop skills in inspecting and preparing surfaces.

Skills

Interest in making things e.g. textiles, woodwork, crafts

Good communication

Self-discipline

Self-starter

Reliable

Basic IT skills

Education

English and Maths GCSE at grade 4

Job description

Industrial Sewing – Level 2 Apprenticeship

Programme duration: 2 years

The Role

We produce world class interiors using a variety of materials and finishes including leather and fabric. The department combines craft with technology to create interiors to exacting standards. The interior of a Rolls‑Royce and quality of the finish is what differentiates our brand from anything else in the industry.

When you start you will complete a team building experience with other apprentices from across the BMW Group. This is to help build relationships and a strong network across the business.

You will be trained in industrial sewing and develop your knowledge and skills in inspecting and preparing surfaces and upholstery with a variety of materials.

As a sewing apprentice, you will spend two days per week at Chichester College: one day is spent studying ‘Lean Manufacturing Theory’ and one day learning practical sewing skills.

When not in college, you will be on plant shadowing colleagues and developing your industrial sewing skills. This is a very practical apprenticeship where you will gain lots of hands‑on experience and be encouraged to be an active member within a skilled team.

At the end of the apprenticeship, you will gain an EAL Level 2 Diploma in Manufacturing (knowledge and skills).

Craft Skills

Car design and creation at Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars is like nothing else in the industry. The apprenticeship features a unique opportunity to get hands‑on experience of all aspects of car design and creation. You will spend 2 days per week (in the first term) completing a ‘craft skills’ course which includes woodwork, sewing, mechanics, metal work and CAD. During this time, you will work towards the following qualifications: Health and Safety, Preparing to Learn, Reflective Practice, and Electrical Vehicle Awareness.

Who are we looking for?

This is a fantastic opportunity to start a career within a skilled profession. The interior trim centre offers opportunities for personal and career development. This is a career with a difference. As you grow within the department you will maintain the ability to stay in a hands‑on role, and progressively gain responsibility in this specialised area of the business.

Skills

A large amount of the role will entail individual (but supervised) work, which contributes to that of the team. Useful skills and qualities are as follows:

• Interest in making things e.g. textiles, woodwork, crafts.
• Good communication
• Self‑discipline
• Self‑starter – able to use own initiative.
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

You will learn all you need to do this role at college and in the workplace. For this reason, you do not need a qualification, or experience in sewing to apply. An interest in the profession or making things is strongly advised.

Required Qualifications

English and Maths GCSE at grade 4 is required but not essential. It is advised that this is attained prior to starting the apprenticeship but can be completed alongside work and study in the form of ‘functional skills’.

About Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars

Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars is based in Goodwood (near Chichester).

As the height of exclusive luxury, a Rolls‑Royce delivers unmatched quality, style, and performance. Behind our legendary brand is a team of passionate and highly talented people who do their utmost to satisfy our customers. Our ability is limited only by our customers imagination.

We believe in creating an environment where our apprentices really can learn and develop during their time with us. Our experts and mentors will treat you as part of the team from day one, encouraging you to bring your own ideas to the table and giving you the opportunity to really show what you can do.

Why choose us?

A Rolls‑Royce Apprenticeship can offer many career options and enable you to make the most of your potential. After successfully completing the apprenticeship, you will move into a permanent position within the company.

We Offer

• Great pay – A competitive salary enhanced every six months depending on individual progress and performance.
• Exciting benefits – Our employee benefits include access to our discounts scheme and a subsidised on‑site restaurant. Those aged 18 and over can purchase or lease a BMW or MINI vehicle of your choice at a very special rate.
• Personal development – In the UK, we invest around £3 million per year in vocational and professional training for our employees. This means we invest in you, giving you the relevant BMW specific training that you will require to be an active member of our team.
• A global community - With around 8,000 employees across the UK, and an extended network of 150,000 colleagues around the world there are an abundance of networking opportunities. Our apprentice MOVE program also offers the possibility of a 6‑week placement in a location abroad.

What do you need to do now?

• If this sounds like the opportunity for you, then apply today.
• Once you click apply, you’ll be asked to create a profile, complete eligibility questions and upload your CV - you may only apply for one apprenticeship position but you may also express your interest to be considered for others.
• If you meet the eligibility requirements, we will invite you to the next stage of the process which is an online assessment, designed to further explore your verbal and numerical skills.
• The successful applicants from the above will be invited to the final stage of this process, a face‑to‑face Assessment Centre. Provisionally, the Assessment Centre is due to take place week commencing 30th March 2026 (this is subject to change).

Please note: To be eligible for this position, you must have lived in the UK for three years prior to the start of the apprenticeship and be able to provide proof of your legal right to work in the UK.

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and job applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Closing date for applications: Saturday 28th February 2026