Launch and Change Control, Plant Project Series Degree Apprentice Review

My general role is supporting new launch projects within the company, assisting with project management and coordination of different departments to prepare for any vehicle updates, coachbuild projects or new model launches. This can be in the form of communicating with different people, KPI's, Status Updates, creating presentations and updating/ assisting the project managers.

I feel I have developed many of my existing professional skills to a much higher standard for example: Presenting and networking. As well as learning new skills including Excel, Sharepoint and other softwares. I also feel that the apprenticeship has developed my personal skills, I have gained confidence, developed my people skills and generally learned more about who I am.

I thoroughly enjoy this apprenticeship program, I have been able to get a lot out of it so far and am only a couple of years in. You definitely get more enjoyment out of it through networking and seeking individual opportunities. I have enjoyed this apprenticeship as it has enabled me to pursue my own interests within the company and find out more about what I enjoy and what I want out of my career with the BMW Group.

My program is somewhat well structured, I feel that it varies from apprentice to apprentice depending on your course, managers and the amount of input and steering you are willing to do yourself. I feel there have been significant improvements in recent months with the involvement of apprentice managers that are more able to support you in anything you want to pursue and are much more available for any queries or help. But overall for myself individually I feel that it has been well structured throughout and have enjoyed the level of flexibility within that structure.

I have received a great deal of support from my employer within many different aspects of this apprenticeship, in particular my university work and personal development. For university my employer and particularly my manager is very considerate if I require any support with my work or need some extra time in work to revise or complete assignments. As for personal development they have supported me in opportunities I have taken interest in and done what is possible to facilitate that. In addition when I am struggling with something they try to understand and help me overcome it professionally for example my presenting nerves! Any extra curricular activities my employer have been very supportive of, anything charity related I want to get involved in, anything with my previous schools that I want to get involved in or any extra work not related to my department that I have wanted to pursue, for example events.

My training provider has been good at supporting within my degree, however I feel that is more down to the individual lecturers themselves and some have been significantly better than others. Some lecturers support and provide and encourage extra content and others do the bare minimum, I feel this can sometimes be reflected in my grades and interest in the subject.

I feel that there is some relevance between my degree and my job role, what I have covered in my degree has given me a better general understanding of what happens within the business as well as equipped me with useful skills for my role. However there isn't a lot of content that has directly related to my department yet, but I understand this is to come over the next 2 years. I have noticed a lot of links between my qualification and some areas that I have been on placement tough for example in logistics for supply chain management and procurement, as well as product for marketing and outsourcing.

There are a variety of different extra curricular activities available for all different interests. Personally I prefer to be involved in the charity activities and apprentice related groups as well as any external events too. I do understand they also offer different sports teams and activities for other interests.

Yes

There is so much variety in these apprenticeships that you can pursue and develop what ever you want to and whatever interests you. There is also a lot of support from people within the company and a level of respect and admiration for apprentices from most managers that I have met, which was quite surprising.

Don't be overly concerned if you don't have lots of practical car experience or knowledge, you just need to be passionate and interested in the company and it's brands as well as show a great deal of willing to learn because ultimately they are looking for a young person that they think they can train and mold to what they are looking for. So just remember to be yourself in the interview!