Control Technician Review

I am currently a first-year apprentice so I attend college 9-5, 7 days a week. Thursdays are BTEC days where we complete level 3 BTEC work and study: mechanical principles, electrical principles, electronic devices, maths, and materials. The rest of the days are to complete the engineering NVQ which is comprised of a large majority of practical work where units can involve hydraulics, pneumatics, milling, lathes, PLCs, and much more.

The qualifications gained over the course will be a Level 3 BTEC and an NVQ, of which I do not already have. I have developed my skills with milling, lathes, bench work (using drills, files, saws e.t.c.), PLCs, fluid power, and electrical systems. So far some of the content has been a repeat of what I learned during school, but most of the content has been interesting and new.

The work so far has been fairly straightforward and quite relaxed. The team of first-year apprentices is good, and the support from those in higher years and those around the site is generally very good. My expectations for the apprenticeship have been exceeded, due to the range of opportunities and the company culture, and also due to the benefits e.g. company car scheme.

The programme is well structured with target dates and reviews being constantly checked and carried out in order to make the most of the time at college and to get the best performance out of us. The training so far has also been good, as well as the support provided especially from some of the teachers.

My manager provides a lot of support and is consistently in contact with us, having team meetings weekly (during the lockdown period) and coming in to college at least once every 2 weeks prior to the lockdown. My employer also provides support and the HR team is always accessible due to the provided company laptops.

My training provider is very helpful with both the NVQ and BTEC aspects and has ensured that I have met all targets and deadlines so far, while also pushing me towards distinction in all subjects. Tutors are also accessible via email and in my experience have replied back quickly even over the lockdown period in order to provide support and continue with teaching.

I have not started my full job role yet, but believe that the qualification I am currently working to complete will provide a good base of knowledge for the engineering operations. We have also had a wide range of practical training and the theory has been linked to the workplace.

At the beginning of the apprenticeship, before you go to college, there will be a residential trip to Skern Lodge which will give you the opportunity to make friends and get to know those on the course. There are also planned visits to the other BMW group sites in the later years.

Yes

BMW Group is a good company to work for, providing great support and great benefits.

Ensure that you have a range of practical evidence with you, as well as theory qualification certificates to show your understanding of both theories and how they are put into practice. Any engineering activities you may have been involved in, you should take photos of and print to take with you to the interview to show and explain what you have contributed.