Toolmaker Review

I am a Toolmaking Apprentice within Plant Swindon, apart of BMW Group. My roles at work include genral preventitive and reactive maintenance on the pressed tooling that are used in order to press the panels that make the Mini models. The work completed makes sure that the tooling can be reliably used, once any faults or issues have been rectified.

In the first year of the apprenticeship I was based full time at college, completing a Level 2 Competence course and a Level 3 Knowledge course. The practical and therotical skills learnt gave me a basis for starting in the workplace in the second year. Within the second year I have been using practical fitting skills - such as grinding, filing and general hand fitting. I have also been developing machining skills using the lathe and mill, so overall many new skills have been learnt and are applied in day to day work.

I have enjoyed the experience, with the balance of work and meeting new people being something that adds enjoyment as it makes life easier when in the learning environment. I have also liked the balance of theory and practical work, as this means that there isnt too much of either one or the other, giving time to develop practical skills aswell as learning the theory behind what I am doing.

The apprenticeship itself has been structered and organised well from the start, with regular performance reviews and communication with managers that helps me improve over the weeks and months. This may be practical work or skills, aswell as socially. I feel very lucky to be in this position and as a result of the apprentciship have met many good people and friends through it, changing my life in a positive manner.

I have received as much support as I have required throughout the apprenticeship. My training advisor and management at work set up regular reviews that track my performance, and progression with not only college work - but also my knowledge within the workplace. This gives me targets to meet over every few months, menaing that I will progress as a result of this input.

I receive assistance and support from the college training co-ordinator and college tutors. If any assistance is required throughout the completion of the college work or written work completed. There is also assiatnce from the skilled workforce at work, whom all give assistance and knowledge when I have questions or require knowledge from them. Overall I have received large amounts of support throughout the completion of the apprenticeship.

I believe the courses that I have completed at Swindon College have aided me significantally in the workplace as the knowledge gained was all applicable to my everyday working life. I have also grown on the knowledge and expirience gained through the completion of this whilst in the workplace, and applied it to my role within Plant.

With the friends and collegues gained through the apprentcieship, there are many extra-curricular activities that are completed through work. The main one that I have taken apart in is the mountain challenge, of which we work in teams in the apprenticeship category against other plants, this is a team building exercise that builds stronger bonds between us.

Yes

The oppurtunities that I have gained as a result of this apprenticeship, and the working environment are really good and enjoyable - especially for someone who is younger and trying to get into a practical engineering apprentciehip, and is technically and practically minded. BMW Group take care and look after employees in an exceptional manner.

The main tips that I would give is to be open and honest with progression and work completed. Self-drive and application to the cause are qualities that are useful in any apprentcieship, ensuring good time-keeping and attitudude to not only work completion, but quiality of work. A mix of these qualities and desire to work would be the main advice that I would give anyone who want to apply.