Tool Making apprentice Review

At the moment I am currently working at college for the first year of the apprenticeship. Then on our second year we will start to do work placement meaning we will start to get a better understanding of what we will be doing and the roles and responsibilities in the workplace.

During the time at college as our first year, i have learnt many skills to do with work based jobs. I learnt how to use specific equipment Like how to use a lathe and how to use a milling machine. We also learnt little skills throughout the year. Such as welding, wiring and how to work with pipes.

To a large extent I'm enjoying this apprenticeship. Reason for this is because its always been a key interest of mine to become some level of engineer and also to be able to work with such a good group helped me to get along with the work side of things. Also being able to learn new skills as you go along is something I enjoy because its something that i can take somewhere else and know what I am going to be doing.

Due to COVID-19 I feel like it isn't as well organized as it really could be. In college due to going into lockdown this meant that online lessons were taking place. This led to the fact we weren't able to carry on with practical work for a long time meaning we were behind when it came to coming back. On the other hand we were given opportunities that some others might have not been given. We were given laptops as quickly as possible meaning we were able to keep up with workload.

BMW have offered us many great opportunities to make sure we are getting the best chances. Due to college being unstable when it comes to print credit it, BMW have provided us with printing facilities where we can just come in and print when we have to. This helps when it comes to work needing to be handed in. They also provide us with the company car scheme and cycle to work scheme. Both of which are very good because they provide easier ways of travel meaning getting to work shouldn't be an issue.

To a small extent I feel like the support we were given at college could have been better. Having a print credit didn't help as when we needed to print assignments off when we couldn't get to plant. It stopped us from printing them meaning we were having to email them. Considering we had asked for new print credit we had to wait a few months before they had even start. On the other hand, our level 3 days run to the best that i think. All lectures are turning up on time and they are all meeting the deadline requirements meaning we are getting work back when we should.

Due to being at college still our work base is still going on meaning that we haven't received an actual qualification yet. In school before hand I got an engineering GCSE meaning when it came to doing more practical and Engineering based work I was able to answer questions and work to my best ability.

Its not really an extra-curricular activity but later last year i decided to shave my head for cancer research. I then was able to put this out in the news letter meaning BMW could notice that i was doing this. There is always an opportunity to do the mountain challenge which takes place yearly. This is an event that takes place against all the other plants in the UK.

Yes

The reason i chose YES it because BMW have given us so many opportunities, that other company's wouldn't do. The BMW workplace is also a great environment to make friends and to enjoy the job you are doing. I would only recommend to friends that have a key interest in engineering unless its something you want to get into.

One of the main tips i would give someone when applying for this apprenticeship is that you are keeping up with all the workload and everything you are handing in, is to the right standard. I also recommend at the start you are asking as many questions as possible making sure you know everything you want to know.