Engineering Technician Apprentice Review

Throughout the apprenticeship I have been fortunate enough to work in a massive variety of roles. This means anything from working directly on the floor in assembly supporting processes and optimisations to helping with the development of new models. I have been able to lead and support of a wide variety of projects utilising a range of skills interacting with people in Plant Oxford and also externally at our German sites. You are also given more responsibility as the time in your apprentice goes on allowing you to more easily manage your workloads. Daily, my personal tasks range from generation of reports to data analysis and then presentation of the findings to practical activities within the site.

I have learnt a huge amount of new skills over my time as an apprentice. This ranges from the qualifications that I have obtained to training courses I have gone on through the company. I feel like the continual changing environment has allowed me to learn how to adapt quickly and effectively into new teams. Communication and presentation skills have also massively improved since I joined with every new opportunity expanding on this.

The apprenticeship has been good providing constantly differing challenges meaning each day is never the same. This means I have personally enjoyed the time at the company. There are however less opportunities for fun activities outside of work run by the training school than expected, this could be improved on further.

The course has a good structure with a central plan accessible at all times to each apprentice outlining where you will go next and when. The managers are also always able to help out with any requests. Educational qualifications are also well worked into the programme with dedicated days available to work on these. However, at points information regarding this can be communicated later than optimal leaving uncertainty at times.

BMW Group is extremely supportive in the apprenticeship and apprentices as the training they provide to you also benefits them. They provide specified days to work on qualifications and are able to provide any additional support if requested. Management around the plant are also very supportive knowing a lot of your needs meaning the correct amount of workload so to not over burden you is given.

As previously mentioned, dedicated days are provided from the company in order to work towards your qualifications. This support is also extended by them having direct contact to the education providers meaning an understanding is made and direct feedback given quickly. Weekly meetings are also had with our managers in order to discuss any issues to quickly act upon.

The qualifications gained throughout the programme provide a solid foundation of knowledge so that when you conduct your role. This means when you conduct a project or job you aren’t blind but in fact have a wealth of knowledge to pull from. This also means that you end up thinking outside the box due to the expansive knowledge learnt from qualification. However, some of the course content is not particularly relevant to a lot of jobs.

There are not many activitys that are offered through the company. Yearly, Plant Oxford have contributed to Cowley Carnival in which apprentices lead and build the project from start to end. This catagory is one which could be imporved on by offering more activites. A few years ago both football and World Skills were offered but these stopped unexpectidely.

Yes

Over the whole apprenticeship I have not only gained many skills, friends, knowledge and a good network in the industry but it has set me up with a fantastic career in a very respected company without the drawback of UNI fee's and risk of not getting a well payed job after spending so long at UNI.

I would always say that this job is a job that the more effort you put in the bigger the benefit you will receive. For applying I would recommend that you have a passion for the industry and prior basic skills having either made something in school or a STEM course.