Engineering Technician Review

I'm in my second year now at MINI Swindon Pressings after completing my first year full-time at Swindon College completing a Level 2 Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering. As an engineering technician, I complete on-site placements within different departments, which allow me to learn different aspects of the business to improve my overall skills as an engineer. Thursdays are used as an external learning day at Swindon College, to study a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, ran by Oxford Brookes University. The degree is structured so I study a foundation degree course for two years, with the final and third year being a bachelors top-up.

I've almost completed my first foundation degree year in Manufacturing Engineering, learning new skills in: electronic and electrical engineering; mathematics; engineering management, CAD/CAM; and engineering science. I'm also completing a work based module, as part of the course, which will compile my skills learnt over the time spent at work to eventually gain Engineering Technician standard. Multiple skills are learnt at work daily on-the-job, whether it be general confidence, working and integrating in teams or more technical aspects when shadowing or completing the work of a senior engineers.

The apprenticeship is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, although the first year wasn't to my taste, as going back to complete a level 2 qualification after studying A-Levels for two years was an odd set back because I was signing up for the degree programme. Now I've started getting hands-on within the plant and learning multiple engineering roles, I have settled in much better and it meets my original expefations - and I am beginning to enjoy role. The degree course is my favourite part as this is what I wanted to do from day one. The company is extremely supportive and the placements at work are mostly enjoyable, sometimes the senior engineers seem unsupportive though...

I think after looking back over the last 2 years, the structuring of the apprenticeship makes sense and is useful for developing basic engineering skills. The placement scheme at work is well organised, switching between departments every 3 months, which enough time to learn one role to a high-standard. Delegation from senior engineers is fair and is work that is expected to be learnt anyway to develop skills. Studying is also well organised at college with a normal 9-5 day to be spent completing any work such as assignments and labs. Training is organised when required by the apprenticeship co-ordinator, which is compulsory but extremelt useful.

There is a lot of support on-hand for all apprentices, after-all going into work at a young age may seem very scary. A meeting with all apprentices is held every Friday to go over any questions, queries and current business movements to keep us all up-to-date. The HR team provide easy access to HR related subjects via use of the HR portal. The apprenticeship co-ordinators always go out their way if you require any help.

At college we have a course planner who is the go-to person for all queries with the degree course, and then individual tutors for each subject studied. The college has an advisor and support co-ordinator who is always on hand to take problems and questions regarding general health and wellbeing. They are extremely supportive and helpful with apprentices as they understand the importance of the course.

The course I'm studying is aimed perfectly at the role that I take will eventually take at work. The course oversees useful engineering knowledge which come in to play at Swindon Pressings and other manufacturing organisations/environments. Most theory that I learn from the qualification I use at work. I definitely understand the company and their processes more after being able to compelte my Level 2 and after starting my foundation degree.

Unfortunately, at Swindon, there aren't many extra-curricular events organised. Every year however, there is the "mountain challenge" which is done by willing BMW group employees from the UK to raise money for charity by competing in a friendly, competitive mountaineering expedition, last year it was due to be completed on Mt. Snowdon (postponed due to the pandemic).

Yes

A great and well-respected manufacturing organisation which is fantastic for kick-starting a career in engineering and for general skills throughout life. Working for a well-known automotive manufacturing in my first real job gives a great motivational push. They are very helpful and supportive and see younger engineers as good investment with good potential.

Don't worry about applying for the apprenticeship late as all applicants are accepted, it's not a first-come-first-serve application. Show your existing knowledge of STEM subjects and skills to give yourself a one-up. It's always useful to have completed some kind of project under your belt where you can show evidence of teamwork, motivational drive, technical knowledge and planning, and most importantly willingness to learn and improve. (I.e. I used my A-level Chemistry work as this in my interview)