Apprentice Control Engineer Review

In a normal working week I spend 4 days out on placement in the factory within Maintenance teams learning skills and techniques which are used to fix and resolve problems. The last day is used to study towards the degree, which is all taught on site here at the Plant in Oxford.

The placements around the factory allow you to develop new and existing skills. Placements last around 3 months which means you have to quickly adapt to your surroundings to maximise your time in the area, naturally this means you are inclined to get more hands on, which is the perfect way to learn. Simiarly, we typically study 3 units at the same time

No two days are really the same, there is always something to work towards and rarely there are quiet days. I often work as part as a team which is useful as it allows us to collaborate on ideas together. I am made to feel like an integral part of the team which is rewarding.

There is a clear structure to the programme, I am made aware early on what placements I will be attending. The company makes sure that I have the appropriate training for the areas I will be working in. There are also clear support systems which are in place to help apprentices if there is any troubles. There is a clear hierarchy within the training school which makes it easy to suitably escalate any issues. There is also plenty of work to do which helps to make each day feel rewarding. There are plenty of meetings which help monitor your progress and any concerns. Only notable concern with structure is sometimes our college term dates could be communicated more clearly.

Support from my employer is outstanding. All members of the apprentice team go out of their way to address any areas of concern and are always making sure that we have no concerns. As stated before, there are clear support systems in place and if there was to ever be a scenario where they fail I have the ability to contact HR and the Union.

While I understand and appreciate that finding tutors to teach in this sector is challenging, I feel that the apprenticeship would benefit from having more high quality tutors. While the tutor we have at the moment is excellent, sometimes it is beneficial to be able to draw knowledge from multiple sources. There are also clear support systems in place.

Broadly speaking, the qualification does help me to perform better in my role. However, it would be more beneficial for examples relating to the factory to be used during teaching. Some of the theory taught has been used, but it is mainly the practical side which gets used on a day to day basis. I feel like my knowledge overall has increased within the industry.

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities to get involved with such as Newsletter teams and Sharepoint Site. Also you can have smaller project teams were you work in your spare time towards a project goal. People have also gone to careers fairs and done presentations at local schools about their apprenticeship. Fellow apprentices have also gone to award ceremonies. There are many outside of work social initiatives which sees combined groups of apprentices and interns meeting on a weekly basis.

Yes

There are endless amounts of opportunities after the apprenticeship. You are not limited to your end job role, you have the ability to do whatever you desire. The pay and associated benefits such as car schemes are unbeatable. Everyone is polite, welcoming and passionate about their jobs which makes time at work enjoyable.

Have work experience either here on the plant, or in the engineering field. Also be passionate about engineering and the Automotive industry, whether this is through Cars, DIY, School projects etc. Make sure your CV is well presented and makes a positive lasting impression of yourself. Be open and honest in your interviews.