Business Apprentice Review

Business Apprentice A variety of placement in various areas with a focus on HR, currently working with the HR Management team in the main Assembly hall for the MINI, really enjoying the diversity of the work and also the responsibility that I have. Although I am an apprentice the work that I am completing is providing real benefit to the company. Day to day work at the moment involves managing our temporary contract to permanent contract process, completing various ad hoc tasks for managers of assembly areas and HR areas. dealing with associates who walk into the office with HR enquiries and a variety of other tasks

From the day that I started I have seen a huge amount of growth, both academially with the foundation degree in Business, management and communication but also professionally, my confidence to work with others and also my ability to work in an organisation. A skill that previously I had not had the full chance to develop

I really enjoy working for BMW group and enjoy the apprenticeship programme. BMW group values its apprentices and the culture of the teams, managers and groups with the company seem to follow that. People are willing to invest in the apprentices and as a result we have the opportunity to grow.

I feel as if the work I complete is recognised and valued, However I feel that the Group could do better at extenral recognition. Only recently I spotted a Sunday Times article about the apprentices at Jaguar Land Rover and BAE systems. It would be great to get out apprentices equal recognition!

The programme structure is well thought out and provides the flexibility to change according to what I am looking to develop but also the needs of the organisation. My foundation degree programme works well alongside it and I feel that the two elements link well together.

The programme is very good, perhaps they could be more understanding of my constraints as an apprentice as opposed to those in the class who are "full time students" as it does become difficult to manage the work load (However currently I feel I am managing this with a grade for first year of around 65%, I can see it becoming an issue in the future)

The only comment I feel I can leave here is the element of a "mentor" I feel it would be good to have a mentor in a managment position. It would provide an additional level of support and I feel it would also give me the opportunity to develop further,

Travel costs would be the only issue, with a 60 Mile round commute the fuel costs / Company car costs are considerably high, I am currently managing this through using a carshare. However it could be improved.

I feel there could be more opportunties with the group.

Yes

A fantastic place to work, and the apprenticeship programme is a great alternative to the "traditional" education route. In fact I believe it to be more beneifcial than the traditional route.