Control Technician Apprentice Review

During my first year of the apprenticeship I attend college full time, where I complete a level 2 practical compentancy and a level 3 btec. In none covid times I would usually be on plant for a week or two to complete a unit and to see how the plant runs.

The practical compentency unit has developed some of my existing skills and also helped me gain new ones. I developed my electrical knowledge and some of the basic bench skills like; filing, sawing and using the pillar drills. I have found new skills in milling and the practical side of electronics. I will also be gaining turning skills soon.

The other apprentices in which I work with make the course very enjoyable and we all get on well. I am encouraged by my training provider and my company to do my best, which also makes it more enjoyable as I know what is expected of me during my course.

As a whole the organisation of my course is good. BMW always informs us of any information that we need from them. The college has its good and bad points, most of the time we are aware of where we need to be and also any upcoming information is communicated. However, there has been situations where we haven't been told where we needed to be, but the college thought they had told us. Although this happened, it gets resolved when we go and ask what is going on, just takes longer to get a response than expected sometimes.

BMW gives us a lot of support and is always happy to help us if we need it. Our manager comes to see us regularly and is always happy for us to ring or email him when required. Overall, BMW is extremely supportive and gives us plenty of information on how plant is doing (keeps us involved even though we haven't been to plant yet) and clearly checks we are okay.

There are many good teachers who I feel like I can go to and ask for help about anything, whether home life or college. The support for my qualification is good and I am always pushed to do the best that I can, in addition to this, for the majority of my btec course I am encouraged by the college to get a distinction.

Although I haven't been able to get onto site yet due to covid I feel like the qualifications we do lead us well into my role in the future. By giving us the practical, hands on, workshop skills it helps to grow attention to detail and also problem solving. The electronics and PLC side of the course is required as the job role I will be going into will have a strong connection to these units.

Due to covid extra curricular activities have been at a minimum. Usually, at the beginning of the year I would have gone on a week long excursion to an outdoor activity centre with the other first year apprentices, to gain friendships and to also develop our teamworking skills. We did however manage to get a day where we were on site, doing a version of what we would have done at this week away, developing communication skills and getting to know each other.

Yes

I would recommend BMW to a friend as the support and work ethic of the company is amazing and is always positive. I get a good company pension and other benefits such as a car and discounts at many different places. I would recommend the degree course, as I am gaining a degree while getting paid, making friends and not getting into any debt.

When applying to BMW group I would recommend that you take time when doing your application and write down all key points you think might be relevant before writing them into an answer. This means that you don't miss anything out and that it is written in a well structured manor. For the interviews just be yourself, be happy, laugh, ask questions and enjoy the process.