Leathershop Apprentice Review

From cutting and sewing to gluing and sticking, I have learnt all the processes to steer a car through leathershop production. A fair amount of admin is involved and monotonous daily tasks that nobody else wants to do. Someone’s I pay for coffees for managers in the hope to get a good job.

Yes. I have developed and learnt new skills in leather work. Having managed small production teams and steered projects I have developed my leadership skills and time management abilities. I would however say that this is entirely down to my own work ethic as these taps are not included in the apprentice structure unfortunately.

To begin with I was full of aspiration and hope for my career, in which I still am, however not in BMW group. Personal development is minimal and management have a severe lack of vision for the future of the business. Because of this I have been really disappointed with the programme and would not recommend it to anyone.

I have never been in a job so disorganised, I feel like I could have organised it better my self from my first day. Having three different managers over my three year apprenticeship, the small goals set to me have changed drastically thus negatively effected the outcome of my development.

A reasonable amount of support however my targets are so low I feel like a have can already achieve significantly more, this I rarely need support. Alongside this, new management and employees often come to me for support due to lack of training for them. I am the most experienced apprentice so this is normal I believe.

Absolute zero. Having studied in further education previously I was under the impression there would be some form of structure and learning outcomes. Unfortunately not. I have two weeks left of of my three year apprenticeship and still do not have a single piece of work marked or any feedback given.

The qualification is also completed irrelevant to my apprenticeship, studying traditional upholstery does not link with modern manufacturing processes at all but management fail to see this. All apprentices on my course have highlighted this however change is yet to happen. It is argued that all ex apprentices are I management to the course must be useful, however I think it has only held them back.

Not really. Friends often meet up after work. I was offered free German lessons at the end of my apprenticeship which was counterintuitive because it would have been a lot more useful at the beginning of my apprentice. But I guess that’s the way BMW group “has always done it”.

No

All of the above. There was no question that I answer that had a positive and I think that says it all. I was sold the Rolls Royce of apprenticeships and received a bog standard apprenticeship. It has not been a waste of my time however as i have relished my own potential and will act on it throughout my career.

Look else where first. Do not be swayed by the permanent contract, the money or the cars. You will likely have a much better experience at another business or university. I do recommend University and applying for a graduate scheme as you will get treated with far more respect and for further in your career. Personally I started studying outside of the apprenticeship again to get more skills under my belt solely due to the lack of training from Rolls Royce.