Business Logistics Apprentice Review

I have between 3-6 month placements in different departments across the company, in each placement i am given a project that is my main focus to work on. Alongside this i get involved with the daily tasks of different people within that department and help them with smaller projects that are ongoing during my time there. Each department is very differnt with a different focus giving me a good insight into the company.

Since starting my apprenticeship my basic computer skills have improved and i have learnt to work with many different systems during my placements. Being in the office environment has increased my confidence and team working skills. At work and university i have had to do multiple presentations which has increase my confidence when speaking publically.

I am really enjoying my days at work and i feel as if i am being challenged. The environment at BMW is good and everybody is willing to lend you a hand if you get stuck. My college days are slightly less enjoyable as there is a lack of structure with the teaching, this makes the days go by very slowly and students get bored.

On my first day at BMW i was presented with a placement plan indicating which departments i will be in for the next few years. Alongside this for every placement i am given a set of objectives to help me gain as much as i can from my time there, at the end of each placement i have been asked to present what i have learnt using these objectives as a basis. This ensures that i am always busy at work and know what i am supposed to be doing/learning.

I have monthly one to one meetings with my placement manager about my process at work/ college and to discuss any concerns that i have or ask any questions. Alongside this i have found that everybody i have met are helpful and i feel confident to go up to anybody and ask for help if i am stuck on a task.

I attend university once a week, on this day i have 3 two hour lectures. In this time the lectures deliver all the content required for the modules and talk through our assignments with us. The majority of my qualifications are assignment based and my tutours are happy to read drafts and give feedback on work aslong as drafts are submitted a week before the deadline. We are suppposed to have one to ones with our tutors but they have not given us the opportunity for these.

some of my assignments at college have been presentation basedm presenting infront of my class at college increased my confidence when public speaking, this has helped me at work as i have to prepare and delivery presentations to my managers at the end of my placements. However, content wise, i dont believe the modules i have learnt so far are relevant to my job,

The logistics department at BMW Group hold socials every few months to give employees the opportunity to do something together outside of work helping to build relationships. Previous socials i have attended have been a treasure hunt and bowling. There is also a on-site gym at BMW available for employee use at a small membership fee.

Yes

I have really enjoyed my experience so far at BMW so i would (and have) recommend it to a friend. Within the group there is so much opportunity to grow, develop and move around different areas so people have flexibility within their roles which i dont believe other organisations offer.

I would recommend that people do some background research into the company before the assessment centre. Also i highly advise people get involved with differnt community activities/projects, such as NCS, voluenteering, DoE etc. as this is something they ask you to present and discuss during the interview as a way to observe how well you can communicate and sell yourself.