Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Review

Almost every day is different. Since the apprenticeship programme requires us to complete placements every three months in different departments, the work varies day to day. For example: in the Metrology department you could be assisting "cubing events" where new (pre-series) parts are fitted to a very accurate car body to check for variations. I am sometimes assisting in analysis in testing grounds to check for noises in a car. Usually, you are not given entire responsibility for a job as you are only there for 3 months and 2 days of the week you are at university. That is the trade-off of being able to move around the company.

I have most definitely been able to sharpen my soft skills. Simple things like being able to present in front of a group of people as well as conveying information in a concise manner. In terms of technical skills, I have learnt a lot about the company itself and how to use its systems. The first year of the apprenticeship is where the majority of hands on skills was learnt. Things like using a lathe, mills, domestic electrics, welding. All of these, although important to understand the basics of engineering are not useful in my day to day job. The more useful skills are about how an automotive company operates: all the way from purchasing, logistics to actually fitting the part on a car. There is a huge amount of engineering that goes in to all of that.

I thoroughly enjoy the program I am on. My biggest gripe is: on some occasions there is not much to do in the departments. I feel like this is sometimes not the companies fault as it is difficult for them to give you work if you are out two days of the week at university and only in the department for 3 months. Although, this is a trade-off for being able to achieve a fully funded degree and moving around departments, making contacts and learning a huge amount about the company and how it operates. No company is without faults. I feel a great company is one that seeks to continuously improve, which BMW tries to do.

Through recent management changes in the apprentice training the organisation has greatly improved. For Engineering Technician apprentices, communication is frequent and timely. Our placements always start and end with a review, considering how many apprentices there are it is a huge improvement. There is still room to improve as since the apprenticeship is changing due to government requirements such as end-point assessment and business requirements (such as completing the full degree in 4 years), sometimes things have to be dealt with “close-to-the-wire”.

We have frequent reviews with the training school and the training provider, 2 separate areas: one looks after the development at work and the other the development educationally. Both of which take my comments seriously and act on issues. If I do have any problems with university, I have the ability to ask for help and if there is any worry in my placements I am able to approach someone who is ready to discuss the issue with me. I feel like they have helped in my professional and personal development.

The training provider (Birmingham Metropolitan College) have an office on site which is a huge help if there are any issues. They have a great influence when it comes to the first year. In years 2 and 3 we study at Abingdon and Witney College which run their own support team which is very helpful. I am in my 3rd year so I cannot comment on the last year, at Oxford Brookes University. I assume the support structure will be pretty good. Unfortunately, because of having to co-ordinate three different institutions, there is sometimes a lapse in communication. Fortunately, there has never been a major issue as BMW put a high number of apprentices through the system, though, it could be better

Unfortunately, the first year, although great for hands on skills for maintenance apprentices, is not so useful when it comes to Engineering Technician apprentices. Most of the skills learnt are not applicable to the work environment that we are in. In addition to this, since most of us come from an A-Level background it seems a bit repetitive to go through a BTEC. The rest of the program is great as you achieve a degree. There have been ideas put forward to get rid of the BTEC for Level 6 apprentices and keep the program at 4 years to lessen the load in the final year at University, which would be perfect. I feel like this is something BMW are working towards.

There is always a company charity nominated and apprentices are encouraged to put forward ideas of things they can do. BMW have a mountain challenge they run every year which is a hike/orienteering challenge. There are always careers events running to get young adults to be interested in the company. Sometimes projects arise such as building a piece of art around a car for Cowley Road Carnival. All of this is optional of course and currently it is up to the apprentices to organise anything. There are clubs and societies at the University, if you want to get involved. Some apprentices complain that there isn’t much to do out of work that interests them (In my opinion I feel there is enough). Perhaps the training school could do a better job of informing apprentices about what is out there already.

Yes

As a sort of summary to all the previous sections, BMW is a great company to work for because of the potential progression and high importance they place on apprentices (evident by how many ex-apprentices are in management roles). The salary could be better in the first two years, although, considering the degree is fully funded and you have the opportunity to experience many different departments it’s not too demotivating. I feel my personal development has significantly improved since joining and look forward to continuing my career here.

I would say to try and get involved in as many things outside of school/college as much as you can to develop a portfolio you can talk about in the interview. It is difficult to stand out in an interview if you have just your grades to show off. Try building something in your spare time or getting a part-time job. Most importantly, be keen in the interview. Talk as much sensible things as you can and be yourself. Remember, you are also trying to see if you are a match for the company, ask questions about how things work so you can gain an idea.