Toolmaking Apprentice Review

As a toolmaker, and as a year three apprentice, we are now more involved in the day to day activies we can expect as a fully qualified manufactuing technologies engineer. These inlcude the repair and maintenance of the dies used to create the body panels on cars. Generally, on a normal day we perform routine preventative maintenence while on call should any breakdowns occur on one of the press lines we cover.

In my thrid year, I am able to apply the skills and techniques I have leanred thus far. I am, however continuing to develop these skills as well as learn new nearly every day. Some of these skills include, practical hand fitting work (off hand grinding, hand filing, taking apart die sets and fitting them back, and polishing), and machining (learning to use different types of machines such as manual lathe, mill, and surface grinder, and through the optional HNC, I am learning CNC programming and operation).

I am thoroughly enjoying my apprenticeship. Perhaps most, I enjoy working for the BMW Group company, ever more, especially with the COVID-19 issues, they have shown to truly care about the well being of their employees. In addition, they are more than willing to invest in their employee's futures, such as the optional HNC program I am currently enrolled in.

Very well organized, it is very clear from the stat of your apprenticeship what paths you must follow to completion. In addition, it is clear what other paths may get you to different opportunities within the business. Now, about to finish my third year, my managers have made clear what I must do in this final year to successfully complete my apprenticeship.

If I have ever needed someone to talk to reguarding an issue or perhaps just something I wanted to speak about, my managers have always been reachable. If I have needed help, such as additional tutoring, they are more than willing to set up a program to ensure I excel.

My employer has a dedicated NVQ assessor that walks us through what is expected of us qualifiaction wise, and is able to guide us should we have any questions reguarding our qualifications. In addition, they will set up tutoring if that is needed and are willing to provide as much support as is needed to help me succeed.

Swindon College has helped me put all of the practical and theoretical techniques and lessons into good use in the work place. For example, our unit for Business Inprovement Techniques allows me to look at the different areas of my sector and identify room for improvment, ultimately saving myself time and the company money.

There are some extra-curricular activites that we can get involved in, such as the annual Mountain Challenege charity event, networking and school events. Often there are fun runs for charity as well to be a part in as well. I'm sure if we wanted to set up a sport team, we could.

Yes

If nothing else, it's a friendly, but hard working company that is more than willing to invest in its employees and always ensures our wellbeing. Futhermore, it is a large business with a rich history in automotive manufactuing that, through current investment, has ensured our job security for the future.

Be sure to list any hobbies that you partake in. Although you may not realize it, hobbies such as model building, sports (especially if you are a captain), Duke of Edinburgh, PC building, ect can all show different traits that employers are looking out for. Model building shows patience and dexterity, team sports show ability to lead and work with a team, DofE shows drive and commitment, so it may not be clear to you, but potentially it may be advantageous to you.