Maintenance apprentice Review

My role as a mature maintenance apprentice offers me the chance to learn a wide range of skills and experiences within the press shop and sub assembly areas of the business, these include, daily line side maintenance, planned maintenance activities, robotics, laser welding and PLC’s. I often work with different maintenance teams and support functions, which gives me the chance to gain a wide range training and knowledge from trained and experienced maintenace personnel.

During my apprenticeship I have learnt numerous new skills at the workplace and within college, these include, electrical installation, electronics, PLC, turning, milling, welding, engineering drawing, robotics and mechanical principles and quality control. I have also improved my interpersonal skills, public speaking, communication and general self confidence, I feel that as the business evolves, I will increase my skills and understanding further.

I am very grateful that BMW have given me the opportunity to complete a mature apprenticeship, it has been a great experience and I am enjoying every aspect of it. Throughout this apprenticeship I have surprised myself and gained confidence in my own ability, I have met lots of brilliant people and made numerous new friends.

The apprenticeship program within BMW and Swindon College is very well organised and structured, when I am at college, I am fully aware of assignment deadlines and understand what is expected from each me, the tutors are always available to offer any support or advise that I may need. When at BMW, I have set placement timetables and always receive support if I require it.

I receive all the support and advice that I require from my training manager, placement manager, and the trained maintenance personnel that I work with, they have always been patient, encouraging and don’t mind answering my constant questions. BMW also offer help and advice for personnal or health issues, either by appointment or online.

The tutors and support staff at Swindon College are very approachable and helpful, they are always available to offer any support or advice that I may need, even out of college hours, all of the assignments that I am set are clear and easy to follow, I have set review dates and have a clear understanding of what is expected of me.

I feel that the qualifications that I have achieved so far during my apprenticeship have helped me greatly when working within the press shop and sub assembly areas, they have given me a better understanding of how the machinery and equipment work, changed the way I approach issues and problems that I may encounter during my day to day tasks and given me confidence to do my role.

BMW offer numerous extra-curricular activities, I have taken part in employment fairs, school events, parent evenings, and assessment days, this year I am taking part in the mountain challenge, this is an event that BMW enters each year, it is a great team building activity and one that BMW have been very successful in, I am hoping to continue this success this year.

Yes

BMW is a fantastic employer that offers numerous benefits and opportunities to its employees, for me personally, to be given the chance to complete a level three advanced maintenance apprenticeship at my age is amazing and I am very grateful, I look forward to many more happy years and am confident that BMW will continue to be a great employer.

Before applying for an apprenticeship at BMW, I would recommend that applicants learn a basic understanding of engineering and automotive manufacturing, a competent level of maths and mechanical principles would be helpful, but do not be put off if they feel they may struggle, help and advice is always available from college and BMW, above all enjoy the experience.