Apprentice Engineer Review

My job title is Current Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice (CME), based in Solihull plant, where we currently build the Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport, the Land Rover Discovery and the Land Rover Defender. CME is responsible for the quality, and the efficient manufacture of the vehicles. At Jaguar Land Rover the role can be reactive depending on issues arising, as well as proactive, with the different issues from warranty and current issues identified in manufacturing. To overcome the challenges you meet many new people within the company and soon an effective team is formed and everyone pulls in the same direction. Currently to aid in my training I am working on a project to improve the quality and efficiency of the build.

Whilst at Jaguar Land Rover, I have learnt many new skills and gained new qualifications, all sponsored by the company. During the first two years at the company I gained a level three national diploma, performing engineering operations, NVQ level three, and currently I am studying towards a foundation degree. To further develop yourself as an individual there are many training courses available, all of which are funded by Jaguar Land Rover. When tackling challenges at Jaguar Land Rover, teamwork is essential, and in my time with the company my communication skills have greatly improved, along with my ability to organise my time more efficiently.

As a car enthusiast, working at Jaguar Land Rover is great fun, and a wonderful privilege, the ability to work with the best luxury 4x4, and make it better is highly satisfying. The workforce at Jaguar Land Rover is diverse, with the opportunity to engage with employees on all levels from the factory floor to directors. The work is challenging and can sometimes be frustrating. However the CME team is multi - skilled and there's always someone to turn to, to get the necessary support. My original expectation may have been inaccurate, and I didn't expect to come into contact with an eclectic mix of people, from all walks of life, nationalities and cultures, working together towards one goal, which contributes towards a very engaging place to work, where personal development and social skills are learnt alongside engineering skills.

Jaguar Land Rover is a growing company with many opportunities arising. As such there are many new managers and supervisors with new ideas working alongside long standing employees, with a vast knowledge and skills base to draw upon. It is therefore very important that when things go well recognition is given, and support is available when issues are more challenging. The reward and recognition scheme at Solihul is well publicised, with photos of recipients around the factory. Part of the role involves attending colleges to promote the scheme and this has been well received.

It is difficult to plan on a day to day basis for training purposes within a fast moving manufacturing environment. However when projects and tasks are assigned it has been important to keep in mind how these tasks are applied to the NVQ. The tasks are varied and sometimes it can be difficult to understand how these apply to the apprenticeship, however the wider team are very supportive, and development comes in many guises. It must be considered that mass producing cars is a difficult environment and self motivation and learning is important.

Our training provider, Warwickshire College, is very supportive and the tutors are experts in their respective fields. This makes it easy to gain the support required to complete a piece of work or gain help with a question. The work at college is challenging and problems can arise. There are many resources at the college available to utilise, including asking the tutors or asking the librarians, who will point you in the direction of a relevant information source. The attitude of the tutors and students at college helps create a positive learning environment, making the learning of the subject more effective. With the help and support of the college it is highly satisfying, achieving the desired grade in a piece of work.

At Jaguar Land Rover, I have been assigned to a working engineer, who acts as my mentor, we attend daily meetings with our manager where the feedback is two way. We discuss our progress, and any support we may need, and the manager provides us with any updates. As the office is multi - skilled there is always someone to turn to if an issue arises, many employees have come into the company through the apprenticeship programme and can provide guidance and advice.

The salary at Jaguar Land Rover for an apprentice is very competitive, it covers the usual living, travel, social costs, whilst still having money left over to add into a savings account or to commit to other financial responsibilities.

As part of the apprenticeship scheme there are opportunities to travel to other schools and colleges to promote the apprenticeship to potential applicants. There are also social events organised by the employees in the office, to celebrate special occasions, such as promotions.

Yes

Jaguar Land Rover is an expanding company with many new opportunities at many levels in many areas of expertise. This provides plenty of chances to start at the company and then progress into new roles, gaining a lot of experience in the many areas of Jaguar Land Rover. Being involved in producing the world’s greatest luxury SUV is very rewarding and this is an experience that should be shared.

The journey at Jaguar Land Rover is one of great momentum and this would be a great chance to apply to the apprenticeship scheme. The application process includes the on-line application where you need to answer competency based questions, if you are successful, you will receive an invitation to complete a maths test. If you are again successful you are then invited to an assessment day, where you complete more psychometric tests and attend an interview. You will then be sent a letter inviting you to join us on our journey if you are successful. If I was applying now, I would like to have been given an indication that there is an amount of responsibility that comes with the role, which can be quite daunting.