Maintenance Technician Review

I am currently in my first year of my apprenticeship, which means that I am in college full time. At college, I am taught various practical skills such as hand fitting, milling, mechanical maintenance and turning. We are also taught about electronic and digital circuits, with Thursdays dedicated to the AME BTEC qualification. This involves subjects such as mechanical principles, electrical principles and maths. Once I have completed my first year, I will attend college on one day of the week, whilst completing placements in different areas of Hams Hall.

I have definitely learnt new practical skills. Before my apprenticeship, I had never used a Lathe, Milling Machine or Pillar Drill. Now, I can use all three with confidence and create operation sheets for various jobs. The BTEC subjects have also developed existing skills by expanding on my own knowledge and teaching different approaches to tasks.

I am really enjoying my apprenticeship so far; everyday I am learning something new. Each course is interesting with engaging work and some passionate tutors. There are ten of us first years, we support and encourage one another, and all get along really well. Our manager maintains good communication with us and is almost always available via email, text or phone. He meets with us at the college on a weekly/every other week basis, to update us on the company/site and ensure we are all ok.

BMW have been very supportive and organised throughout the programme, we had induction days at the beginning of the apprenticeship and receive online training as and when necessary. They maintain clear communication with the apprentices; we always know what is expected of us and when, and have been extremely supportive. On the other hand, the college has it's faults. The overall training, studying and support from tutors is ok, however, they seem to struggle with communication.

BMW Group could not be more supportive, they are always more than happy to help. Our manager is always available and has provided several contact methods. HR services can be accessed via the intranet, which is very straight forward and easy to use. As I am only a couple of months into the programme, I haven't yet encountered any major problems, but I know what to do if I require support from my employer.

Overall, the support from the college is ok. Our course tutors are very encouraging and help us to achieve our qualifications. The BTEC department manager frequently chats with us to ensure our tutors are doing the right thing and the btec courses are going well. He goes out of his way to ensure the classes meet our expectations and is always more than happy to help. The manager of the workshop is not as involved, it is rare that she checks on us and only really offers support when we push for it.

The workshop activities definitely help me to perform better in my role as a maintenance technician, as I have a thorough understanding of how some machines work, whilst also understanding their internal structure, through dismantling and reassembling elements of them in the maintenance activities. Some of the theory work is yet to be put into practice, as the first year of the apprenticeship is spent at college, rather than on site.

Unfortunately, due to COVID, we have been unable to participate in some activities that would be hosted by BMW Group in a normal year. There is usually a residential at the start of the apprenticeship, we were unable to stay with them in North Devon, so BMW brought Skern Lodge to us and hosted an activity day for the new apprentices. The "in house charity" at Hams Hall is the Alzheimer's Society and fundraisers are frequently held to raise money. An example of a fundraising activity that takes place is the "Hams Hall Fantasy Football League". The site have also secured positions in the London Marathon.

Yes

I would definitely recommend BMW Group to anyone that is looking for an apprenticeship within the motor manufacturing industry. They are incredibly supportive and welcoming. I have enjoyed every day so far and have made lifelong friends. I feel like part of the family at Hams Hall and cannot wait to begin my placements on site in August.

I would advise applicants to attend the technical programmes hosted by BMW Group. I attended Girls Go Technical at Hams Hall in Feb 2020, where I met the other apprentices, employees of Hams Hall and also the interviewers. I had a tour of Hams Hall and MINI Plant Oxford. Participating in the programme helped me as it made me realise how much I wanted to work within BMW Group and grew my passion for enginnering.