Toolmaker Apprentice Review

by BMW Group

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

9/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

As a toolmaker we ensure that the tooling and dies used to press the body panels are maintained properly and working to their highest potential. This included regular preventative maintenance as well as reactive problem resolution.

10/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Yes, probably more than I can list, but the basic list is hand fitting (work with traditional hand tooling like grinders, hand files, measuring devices, reaming, etc.), machinist work (working on a lathe, basic programming on a 2 axis CNC mill, radial arm drill, pillar drill, and surface grinders), and maintenance skills. In the technical certificate side, we learn communication skills and such that prepare us to move up through the business.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

It's by far the best job I've ever held. It's very rewarding and the associates that help you through your time are fantastic people.

9/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Very well structured. From the beginning we know what we need to achieve and what opportunities lie ahead should we choose to take them.

8/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

We have weekly meetings with our training advisor to ensure that there are no issues in any part of our apprenticeship either at college or in work. If we have an issue it is resolved or we are given the information to resolve it ourselves if needed.

9/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

We have our own dedicated support associate who helps us through the qualification and also acts as an NVQ assessor to ensure that all of our documents are up to standard.

9/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

It's allowed me to think more outside the box and use the new skills we learn in the classroom out in the shop floor so that it sinks in.

8/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

There are opportunities to attend showcase and networking events if that is something one is interested in. We also have a yearly mountian challenge that we can enter an apprentice team into.

10/10

9a. Would you recommend BMW Group to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

It's a fantactic opportunity to grow yourself as an engineer in a structured and well supported program. Furthermore, you are being paid to get an education, meaning you don't exit education with a stack of student loans. 4 years experience, 4 years education.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BMW Group?

Ensure that you include any hobbies (especially those related to engineering) in your CV, it may not seem relevant to you, but to our employers it may give an insight to who you are and how you work. This may give you an advantage over other applicants. Also, scour your social media for any damaging posts, photos, or the like. Almost all employers these days look into the social media of the applicants to see who they are outside of the interview persona.