Engineering Technician Review

As a second year apprentice I'm now on my third placement. In this time I have learnt about different quality processes and how BMW ensure the product meets the standard. I have been given projects to work on alone as well as being involved in team topics. I am also working towards my foundation degree with Birmingham City University in Manufacturing Engineering. So far we have covered modules such as Maths, CAD, Quality and Reliability, Business Management, Materials, and Mechanical Science.

I have learnt lots of new skills from the teams that I have completed placements with. I have learnt how to use lots of specialist software as well as improving my general communication and team working skills. A lot of the skills you learn are transferrable between placements which makes each placement easier. In the first year we learnt lots of practical skills like welding, hand fitting, turning, pneumatics etc. However I have not used any of these skills now that I am in the business.

I am really enjoying my apprenticeship. The combination of working and gaining real life experience alongside studying for a degree is hard work but very rewarding. Everyone that I have worked with has been really friendly and willing to show you the work they do and want to get you involved in meaningful work.

The placements are planned in advance and at beginning and end of each placement you have an introduction/exit meeting. At the end of the placement you complete a Training Placement Document where you can highlight areas of success and areas for improvement. This is then inputted into an Excel document where you get a graphical overview of your performance throughout placements. The university structure is less organised, there have been a few communication problems between BMW and BMET. However this improved from the first year of the apprenticeship.

I receive a lot of support from my employer. I have quarterly meetings with my training manager where we discuss progress and any concerns. They are very open and are always willing to discuss any problems you have. We also have a meeting with everyone on the course every 3 weeks where any important information is shared and we get the opportunity to give feedback.

The support provided by our training provider (BMET) has been varied. The teaching is good and there is support if you need it. However, there has been long delays in getting assignments and exam marks returned and when we do there is not any feedback given as to where we can improve in the future.

Some of the modules that we have been taught at university have been very relevant to my job role. For example, quality and reliability has helped me to understand some of the quality processes that happen in the workplace. I have also been able to put the CAD skills that I have learnt into practice.

Due to COVID there have not been many extra-curricular events this year. I know there is the Mountain Challenge and Cowley Road Carnival that apprentices usually get involved in however I have not had the chance to get involved in any since starting my apprenticeship. There are also various fundraising events that happen throughout the year that they encourage apprentices to get involved in.

Yes

The apprenticeship gives you a really good insight into different departments within BMW which sets you up well for when you finish the apprenticeship. The wage is very good for an apprenticeship and being able to study for a degree alongside makes it a win-win situation. There are also lots of other opportunities to get involved in things to widen your network.

I'd recommend researching the BMW group and its core values and seeing how you can relate those to yourself as a potential employee. If possible, try and complete some work experience at BMW or take part in Girls Go Technical so that you can figure out if BMW is the right place for you.