Maintenance Apprentice Review

As a first year Apprentice here at BMW I am currently studying at College full time in preparation for my work placement next year, this is done by the BMW group to ensure that within the first year apprentices gain the required skills and understanding of the qualities and responsibilities that are required of them when they enter the workplace, along what's needed of them within their job role. Currently throughout our weeks in college we are working towards two qualifications, within the first year our main focus is set upon a Level 2 competency based qualification, this is more practical based and ensures we gain skills in areas such as machining, electronics and electrical installation, hand fitting, programming and maintaining PLC's, working with mechanical assemblies and fluid power systems, and more. One day a week is based around the Level 3 qualification which we then further work on and complete within the second year.

Yes I definitely have, due to the first year having lots of practical based subjects it has allowed me to broaden already known skills such as machining along with learning entirely new ones like electrical subjects and working with PLC's which are all required of me when I enter work placement next year. I hope that throughout my apprenticeship I am able to build on the skills I am learning at college, I believe this will be made even easier once I have entered the workplace next year as the BMW group will allow me to gain the exposure that is most relevant to me and my job role that I will be undertaking.

I enjoy the apprenticeship for a wide range of reasons. The work I carry out on a day to day basis is very enjoyable and offers me many challenges which helps me to further develop my skills, I have been able to develop the relevant skills that will help me within the workplace environment such as team building and communication skills. This has definitely exceeded my expectations which is why I enjoy what I do more and more everyday.

The structure is very good and helps to develop your skills and understanding on what is needed to work well in the workplace, we are regularly checked on and have frequent meetings with our managers which helps us know how we are doing and what we can do to improve. We lean key skills of conduct within the company, such as organisation and time management skills which we can take into the future and build on. The college help us in many ways and are always open to providing change and improvements to tailor our needs. Our introduction into the company went very well and helps every apprentice feel like a key part of the team and the future of the BMW group.

BMW group provide wide ranges of help in order for the apprentices to succeed and make large amount of progress. The college and BMW group have regular meetings which enable large amount of communication to take place in order for us to have the most supportive and robust experience that will ensure progress will take place. We are always offered the relevant support and whenever we need something sorted both BMW group and the college make sure they provide us with the best support to gain the best outcome. On the whole BMW group show positivity and openness when it comes to providing apprentices with the best possible support and aim to do so every time.

Within college we are always surrounded with help and guidance with all the work we carry out. All teachers have all had many years within the industry which allows them to pass knowledge and understanding to us on what we have to come when we enter the workplace. Although when entering the college there was a period of adjustment and some problems came up with time the college were very open in making adjustments in order to give us apprentices the best experience possible and have been positive doing so. Whenever we need help or guidance there is always someone we can go to and they are always open to helping us and providing us with that we need.

I feel that the qualification that I will be gaining within my apprenticeship will help me largely when I am to enter the workplace next year, our teachers at college help tailor our learning to ensure that it is most industry related so we can learn the things similar to what we will be doing when we enter the workplace.

Yes BMW group ensures that apprentices are exposed to many social activities which help further skills such as teamwork and networking. Us apprentices are offered to team events such as the Mountain challenge which helps us become a better team and expand on communication skills. During the induction process of the Apprenticeship BMW group offers and trip to Skern lodge with the other Plants such as Oxford where you are able to take part in many fun outdoor activities which helped us with networking, communication skills and getting to know the team you will be working with for years to come, this is a very good introduction to the BMW group and is a way of making you feel part of the team from the get go.

Yes

I would definitely recommended BMW group to a friend, along with being a very reputable company there are many other benefits that are involved with being an Apprentice at the company. You meet many need people and are able to create a team that you will feel very strongly apart of. I can speak for anybody who has been an apprentice at this company that you grow as a person largely and gain many relevant skills that will help you with life within the company for many years to come. Being within such a great company means that we are exposed to many opportunities to further progress within the company which is something I would recommend to anyone looking to apply.

When applying to BMW group I recommend anyone that the best thing to do is make sure to be yourself throughout the whole process. It's a lengthy process with the application ending around the start of March and job offers being made around June time so it is a lengthy process with many stages throughout including assessment centers and interviews that will test your knowledge and help you progress further throughout the application process. The best thing you can do throughout this time is not to stress and display that you are the correct person for the job. Make sure that you read all information carefully and that you provide all of the correct information that is required of you.