Apprentice Engineering Technician Review

I am currently a 4th year apprenticeship, working in the metrology department. This involves measuring and analyzing single panels and assemblies to ensure that they meet standards. I also am working towards my bachelors degree, one day a week, completing a variety of units including a project unit, advanced manufacturing, operations management and advanced material science.

I have learnt a variety of practical skills during the 1st year of my apprenticeship, as well as developing existing skills. I have learnt how to use a range of software, from CAD modelling to measurement software as well as excel and other microsoft software. The subjects cover a variety of new units, as well as units covered by previous engineering courses.

Be under no illusions, there is a lot of work, and keeping on top of it requires motivation and good time management. Having said this, I find it very enjoyable, learning a vast array of skills, and developing existing skills is great. The Swindon BMW apprentices are always a close group, and working alongside people with a range of previous experiences, both life and work, is a great opportunity to learn, and have a laugh.

The awarding body is BCU, the courses cover a range of theoretical and practical units, as mentioned previously. The University is fairly well organised, but but personal skills such as time management, ensuring that deadlines are met, ensuring back ups of work are kept etc. should still be maintained to ensure throughout the course.

BMW Plant Swindon is a great employer, due to being a relatively small plant, the sense of teamwork and closeness is obvious. The immediate manager to the apprentices is brilliant, providing as much support as possible whenever is required, keeping us up to date on BMW and plant news, and working with the University to attempt to ensure the best learning experience for the apprentices.

Being at the training provider 1 day a week, there is support during that day as well as during the week over email. The large majority of the lecturers teach to a high standard, ensuring that a full understanding is obtained before moving on. The available facilities at the University are also excellent.

The qualifications in the first year proves competency in a wide range of units, and theoretical understanding in others. This will be applied repeatedly throughout the course of the first year alone, and throughout the course of the apprenticeship as well as further into the job role itself. The personal skills detailed in questions above are also essential to performance throughout the apprenticeship and job role.

The first week as an employee is a residential-style trip, this is with all of that year’s apprentices across BMW group UK. This provides an opportunity to create a network across sites and across the UK, learning new skills and working in teams. This network could lead to extra-curricular activities outside of work as well. There is also a yearly ‘mountain challenge’ which is a teamwork challenge to complete tasks, this is a great weekend experience and achievements are recognised and highly regarded for successes in this event.

Yes

The BMW group is one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, and their apprenticeship scheme is highly regarded. The opportunities provided throughout the apprenticeship are excellent, including international exchange with foreign apprentices, varied work placements etc. The wage is excellent, especially being paid for learning, and the car scheme is also a great perk.

My advice would be to start developing the personal skills detailed above before applying, so that you are ready for the course. I would also say that patience during the application process is important, and they will tell you whether you are successful in reaching the next stage of the process or not, in time. Researching both the company and the plant is import for the interview, as this will be tested. A project is also required, so undertaking a project, through previous education or personal projects, and evidence of this (the product created, documents, images, drawings) should be taken to the interview day. It is essential to read the communications throughout the application process, as it will contain crucial information on what is required of the applier.