Control engineer Review

My role includes rotations in a workshop. This ranges from machining, electrical, PLCs and more. We spend 4 weeks on each rotation and we have 2-3 assessment for each rotation. We have one college day in the first year where we work to complete a btec level 3 in engineering.

Yes I have learnt many skills such as perseverance, team work, problem solving skills. These skills are very important in BMW as we do a lot of work in teams in the rotations. Perseverance is very important as sometimes the work does get hard and stressful. Problem solving is also very important as a lot of the work we do involves a lot of problem solving.

I enjoy the program a lot as it is challenging but at the same time it is enjoyable. The people I work with are very nice people and the tutors are also very friendly and approachable. Also if you have completed one piece of work then there is always something to move onto, therefore you are never no doing anything.

I would say that my apprenticeship is very well structured. This is because the rotations are very well laid out and also the tutors can structure the program with buffer weeks so that if we are behind on anything then we have time to complete the different tasks. The 4 week rotations are perfect as they allow us to practice and then complete the assessments with enough time.

We do receive support from our employer if it is needed. If a apprentice has been involved in a problem then the employer will be on the case to help straight away if they have been made aware by the apprentice. Also if we are behind on work because we are struggling then they will put in measures to allow you to catch up.

We do receive support from our training provider if it is needed. If an apprentice has a problem with one of the tutors or the apprentices are not happy with the way the tutors are teaching them the training provider will be on the case to help straight away. If we are behind on work because we are struggling then they will put in measures to allow you to catch up.

I feel that the qualification does help a bit with the role as the basics are covered in the qualification such as materials properties, the maths does also help quite a lot when calculating dimensions or angles. I think that CAD units are the most helpful to do with the engineering role.

There is quite a few extra curricular activities for example we have charity events, or career events, and also some social activities such as the 3 peaks challenge. The career events are quite often and the employer always take apprentices to help promote the company. Charity events such as football to raise money are also done.

Yes

It is a very good company to work for and also you have a lot of opportunities to grow as a person. This is because you improve on your skills a lot throughout the apprenticeship. Also the fact that we have mature apprentices with us means the younger ones can learn from the experienced.

I would to others that they should persevere and try their hardest to get the apprenticeship. When coming into interviews my advice would be to not worry and just make sure that you bring examples of practical work you have done or reports on projects that you have completed before.