Technical Apprentice Review

My role is to assist the qualified technicians who work within the Test and Finish department, specifically in the Water test and Road test. My daily tasks and duties are to help clean and tidy the area in line with standards set out by the company, assist where possible in working on cars that I've had experience in and that the qualified technicians are happy to let me work on my own and to seek training to learn new skills.

The work enviornment is full of different job roles where a wide variety of skills are used to complete the work to a standard set by the company. We are encouraged to explore as any aspects of the different departments as possible to broarden our knowledge and skills. Obviously college and work both help to develop current skills that you already have to hone them into your future role within the company.

Our programme had a vague and bumpy start due to the fact that it was a "Bespoke" course created by BMW and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. There were a lot of changes made within management and the the information about what we'd be covering on the course didn't actually happen.

Organisation was a bit questionable at the beginning, we've had to have a few meetings with college heads of departments and apprenticeship mentors at work where we've shared our opinions and worries. However we are now more settled in and the bespoke course is developing further with more details and more managers being involved.

We recieve support when we require it, meetings and 1 to 1's are easy to arrange as there are people who are dedicated to support apprentices through their programme. The support quality is good as you are being advised by people who good knowledge and have been through an apprenticeship as well.

Most of the lecturers are helpful and know their subject, we have mentors who will do 1 to 1's on a regular basis for any concerns and room for improvements. We have programmes to follow our progress and are notified on areas in which we need to improve our work. However there are moments we are told we can do a project and then project never happens and we are not told directly why.

We are often told that we work for a company that looks for perfection and our college work should reflect this. All the subjects we cover are a basic version of areas that exist within the company however unless you're in that department then you don't tend to experience your training.

Yes there are many activities you can get involved with in at work and college. In morning briefings at work we regularly get notified about events that are happening in and around work, some of which are working in conjunction with a chosen charity. The are also opportunities to travel to different plants in England and around the world.

Yes

Although there have been a few bumps and uncertainty on details. There's a huge variety of job roles, improvement activities and opportunities. Salaries are good and reflect your job role, with bonuses available with overtime. You are quite free to explore the company and its departments to a point in which it'll assist you determine your future.

Be openminded, jump at any opportunity that comes your way to improve yourself, create good working relationships with as many people as possible, never miss out on learning something new, as Rolls-Royce motor cars is part of the BMW group it is an idea to learn German incase you have the opportunity to travel abroad to Munich.