Toolmaker Review

Currently we are doing a level 3 btec course on Mondays, followed by four days of a level 2 foundation mechatronics course. Occasionally Fridays are dedicated to catching up on paperwork for the units when practical work is either completed or inconvenient to do that day. Day to day work also includes opening each section of the workshop in the morning and shutting them down at night.

I have learned and developed many skills in each unit. In welding we learned stick welding, a type I have not used before, as well as differently welding techniques and joints, as well as learning how to test welds both physically and chemically. new skills and existing ones have been developed and improved during every activity.

I enjoy the program a lot. I am a hands on learner and this course caters to that, as well as teaching theory to allow me to understand what I'm doing which makes me better at doing it. This also allows me to teach others and vice versa which is helpful

The structure is good as everyday we know what we're doing and when, however organisation could be improved as their are often times we find ourselves out of work to do and no one available to give us the next steps. communication is also a factor in organisation and I feel this could be greatly improved among lecturers and the company staff

Our employer is available 24/7 for support in every aspect of not just the job but life as well, they are flexible with timings if they know travel is difficult, offer support to those with additional needs, and have check ins and good relationships with every apprentice under them. All of the apprentices around me as well as at other plants have only good things to say about them

Support varies from lecturer to lecturer, but the overall support is very good and in cases where i needed help, they were able to support me. I feel confident that if I asked for help or told them a problem that i have that they would work to achieve a solution that would be in both our best interests

As i am a first year apprentice and am still training, i don't have any experience in the workplace and therefore dont fully know. however, the skills i have learnt have been very helpful and i feel confident that this is what i require in the workplace and i feel that the work i have completed are key life skills.

there is an apprentice newsletter that allows you to see the different experiences across the BMW Group and you can get involved in this to show what you have been doing. as well as this there is lots of charity work to get involved with many different ways to support these charities.

Yes

I am very happy with the apprenticeship so far and would therefore not hesitate in recommending this job to a friend. i feel happy with the support i am receiving and i know that if i have any issues, my employer will be able to help me resolve them. thanks

with the training being at Plant Oxford it is important to keep in mind the travel time and to try an organise car sharing to make it easier. the other thing is that the application process can take a while and that there is a lot of waiting to move onto the next step.