Model Maker Review

I got the role of training to be a model maker, in my area we make interior and exterior models of new cars which go to international shows. A typical task i get to do would be to build up 'bucks' (models) from start to finish by firstly cutting the aluminium to make the frame, then cutting and drilling the boards to sit ontop and then fitting the interior parts to the model. I also get to assit strip down for existing cars so they can have improved designs when they get re-built. Each apprentice in my area is assigned with a mentor and we get to work on different projects with our mentor and gain lots of skills.

My job role requires me to have a BTEC level 3, NVQ and also a city in guilds so JLR put me on them courses in college so taht it will help me be able to do my job. My NVQ is a work based qualification so it will be all on the job training so it means nt only will i learn the new skills but also learn how to perfect it. As i have come straight from school i didnt have overly a lot of confidence to start off with however my confidence has grown due to being able to work with experienced people and given the help i needed. In my apprenticeship in the model shop the apprentices get to go on a secondment around different areas such as Reverse engineering, 5 axis, paint, composites and the whitely model shop, by being able to go to these different areas we can get a feel for other parts of the company which contribute towards the model shop so we can understand their process's to help us gain skills in not only their areas but also in our area.

I enjoy many aspecs to my apprenticeship which include being placed in the model shop. The team in the model shop are really helpful if you're stuck on something and need assistance then you can ask anyone and they will help you regardless. In the company we get constant reminders of how well we are doing not only for each department but also for the company as a whole so especially as being a model maker you get to see the cars you worked on in shows across the world which is exciting. I didnt know what i would be doing when i started the apprenticeship but i am very glad i got give the job i was and i know a lot of the other apprentices are also happy with the jobs they have been given.

In the apprenticeship if we do something good then we get recogintion for in, especially in the model shop. If i am working on a model at the model gets finished before the due date then we get praised by our manager and it also gives you a personal reward of being able to complete something before it was supposed to be finished. If you find ways of being able to reduce the costs of some of the things for JLR then you can get rewarded, i know this as i was rewarded for helping save JLR money.

When you first start the apprenticeship you are put on an induction week where you learn about the company, the rules and the different jobs that you could possibly get. We get to choose in order what jobs we would like and then we get given a job based on our results from previous tests during our application process, we then get given our 4 year plan of the apprenticeship which is broken down into segments of what we will be doing each year such as work experience and the qualifications we would earn. In the first week we are assigned an Industrial Training Manager who we have a review with every few weeks to update and check on our progress for the apprenticeship to meet the requirements needed to complete our apprenticeship. If we are finding some college lessons difficult then there are support and mentoring which we can attend to make sure we can reach our full potential in the courses.

I get a lot of support from college and the mdoel shop, in college i am currently in my second year of doing a BTEC and i am finding the further maths more difficult so i go to extra lessons at lunch times and i also know that if i need help in my class then i can get it. If i have a problem then i know i can go to somebody being anyone from my ITM to my manager and the problem will get sorted out in the correct way. One of the ways we can get our opinions on the appreticeship to the apprentice manager is that there are focus meetings we attend at college to let our apprentice manager know how we are getting on and what the problems are. Personally, i really benefit from the support given by my training provider.

If i have a problem at work i know that i can go straight to my manager and he will take the apropriate course of action needed whether that would be HR or the Union etc.. If i am finding work training hard i know that by asking for help then the correct requirements would be put together to make sure that i can get the help needed to reach my full potential.

The advanced apprenticeship is a highly paid apprenticeship which can progress onto a highly paid job. I am based at the Gaydon site and i live in Coventry so it is a quite long drive however i take part in a lift share which saves on costs, Jaguar Land Rover promote lift shares so that we can do our bit for the environment. I have just turned 18 and a lot of my friends have similar qualifications and have either gone to uni, a job or another apprenticeship and none of them are paid as much as me so it is a really rewarding apprenticeship. Also every 6 months the apprentices get a pay rise for literally just doing the correct work and not getting into trouble which gives you and insentive to try harder.

Jaguar Land Rover have a learning scheme called Employee Learning Scheme to provide experiences for the workers, you get £150 to go towards any course they they provide which can vary from elarning a language to learning how to ice skate. This is a way of Jaguar Land Rover giving back to the amount of work that the employees put in. As i work for JLR i am eligable for discount at many stores/ experiences just for working for the company which is a great perk. At Gaydon we have an onsite gym and cresh which helps the employees with family life and convinience.

Yes

I have recomended JLR to many of my friends where many of them got to some of the test stages and one of my friends actually got a place on the apprenticeship starting 2014. The apprenticeship at JLR is very beneficial as we get to learn and earn at the same time and why not do it at the one of the UK's and worlds best car company.

The application process is quite vigorous so you have got to shine from the other people applying as there are thousands of applicants and only about 150 spaces, you have got to show why you are so passonate about the company and wanting to work for them. Doing experiences such as the challenge and DofE can help tremendously as i took part in the challenege and i think that is what helped me in the application process because it can show that you are a team player.