Automotive Engineering Apprentice Review

Emissions Fitter/ Tester In the Emissions department we are set jobs throughout the day by the engineers, we test cars which are then to be sold all over the world, we do this to make sure that the cars that are being sold abide by the relevant regulations from countries around the world. Personally I interact with other Emissions Fitter/ Testers, Engineers, supervisors and line managers.

Nearly every day I am learning either new skills, or developing more efficient ways to do a Job. In college I am learning also in the subjects which we have, Learning and developing skills on CAD, further Maths, Measuring etc. I am also attending extra Maths sessions and on the 7th May I will be attending a Fundamentals of Automotive Exhaust Emissions Testing.

Whilst I am in plant (4 days a week) I love every minute. The people I work with and the job that I do makes coming to work a pleasure. The plant and the work therein was higher than my expectations when I arrived here. I enjoy everyday whilst I am in plant.

I don't see our line manager all too often whilst in Plant, During my time in the Vehicle Workshop our manager would come down almost everyday and check on me and the rest of the workers, he would ask how we were, what we're up to and general conversation and did make me and the rest of the team feel good. I've only ever seen our Apprentice manager maybe a total of 5 time, he doesn't come in all too often.

The plant/ Jaguar Land Rover side of the apprenticeship, is great, it is very well structured and organised. I have support from my colleagues and supervisors, they involve me in external training. As for the college side, it's not so well organised. However issues have been raised with our training managers.

Jaguar Land Rover provides plenty of training in whatever department I am in. It is easy to get involved and enrol on extra training, this sort of thing is very well supported by supervisors and managers and is very easy to find out about on the JLR network. If I do have a problem I know exactly who to talk to and how to contact them.

I have meetings every 4-6 weeks with my Training Manager, and we also have group meetings with our Apprentice Supervisor and Apprenticeship Co-ordinator. They keep us updated on how the company is doing, how our personal performances are doing, how we could improve and what we do well.

When I found out I had got an apprenticeship with JLR I left home and moved down to the Midlands, I currently rent a house, the wage is fantastic, however with my living costs, House, Bills, Car, Fuel, Food etc means that I have a very tight budget at the end of it all. I am sure it will improve over time but for now I just have to get on with it.

Yes there is plenty of opportunities for us to do sports and training courses. We can also volunteer to do CSR events where we Give information to school students, college students and at other career fairs.

Yes

It's a good company to work for, there are some great people to work with, there are plenty of opportunities, and the benefits for employees know no end.

Go for it! Be formal and efficient at interviews or assessment days, do some research on the company and general automotive engineering. Spend plenty of time on your application and get it in early. Don't wait till the last day to start it.