Toolmaker Apprentice Review

On a day-to-day basis, I am learning and developing new and existing skills to be able to perform a wide range of activities on press tooling, this ensures the tooling used to produce car panels in Plant Swindon is maintained to an overall high quality. This includes activities such as machining, grinding, stoning and several others. Some of time is spent with the skilled workforce learning these skills and other times I work individually developing and refining these skills. One day a week I spend in Swindon College, as I am performing the first year of my HNC.

Throughout the apprenticeship, I have learned a wide range of skills that I use daily. This includes skills such as grinding - using surface grinders and pencil grinders, machining - using both a milling machine and lathe, stoning and other hands on skills. As well as this, I have learned and improved my teamworking and work ethic skills.

I am really enjoying the toolmaking apprenticeship programme at Mini Plant Swindon, I enjoy the hand on - physical side of learning about the press tooling, how they work and how they are maintained. I have also enjoyed performing the skills I have previously talked about in this review. This apprenticeship has gone way beyond my expectations and I am thoroughly enjoying the programme, it has been great so far, I have really enjoyed it.

There are two things to consider when looking at the how well organised the structure is, one is looking at the workplace and one is looking at the Swindon College. The apprenticeship in Plant Swindon, is very well organised, I have a sufficient and suitable amount of time in each department I am on placement in and I have a very efficient assessor through the workplace who marks my NVQ and EPA work that I perform on a day-to-day basis. Swindon College is improving how organised the programme is year upon year, and is now at a suitable standard.

I have a wide range of support from the workplace and from Swindon College. If I ever need support in the workplace I can ask for the help from my mentor, other apprentices and the skilled workforce, and I know I will recieve the support required. Furthermore, Swindon college are also helpful whenever I need assistance with college work. Overall, I recieve a large amount of support if and when I need it.

Currently I am in the first of two years to complete my HNC (Higher National Certificate) at Swindon College. I know that if I need any assistance from the college about assignments and any work I am finding difficult, all I need to do is ask, the lecturers at college are friendly and keen to help me with any work I am getting stuck with.

I have recieved a wide range of qualifications from Swindon College, ranging from a level 2 and level 3 qualifications in engineering, which was then followed by the HNC course that I am currently performing. These qualifications helped me get a good initial understanding of a range of activities that I carried into the workplace.

There are a range of extra curricular activities available in the workplace. One of my personal favourites is the mountain challenge. Every year there is a mountain challenge performed between different BMW Group plants, this consists of mountain walk and the team that gets to the most checkpoints in a set of time wins. A range of other activities are also available.

Yes

I would recommend this apprenticeship to anyone with a keen interest in engineering or anyone who want to learn hand on skills, as in this apprenticeship you learn a wide range of useful skills. Furthermore, the company is really - very good at making you feel part of a collective family.

When you go through the application process it can take a while, don't feel disheartened if you don't hear anything back quickly as often it takes around four months to first hear back from the company. When you hear back there will be two assessment days, one online and one in person, this is an opportunity to show your skills. When you apply, show your interest in engineering, as this is thought a lot of. Good Luck.