Technical engineering apprentice Review

by BMW Group

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I am a 4th Year apprentice and I am in my final placement which means it will be the job I will be going into. My main jobs include listen and taking meetings. Looking at the quality of panels and talking to suppliers to claim anything back. There are many other aspects to the job.

9/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Excel sills have developed significantly, making graphs and adding colours. But the skill that I have improved the most is my communication. Both in person and online. I have learnt how to write an email properly. When it comes to quality the skill I have learnt is being able to see all defects in metal.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

The program is very different. Having a lot of different aspects. Spend a year at college doing all the basics in all different engineering aspects and then coming into the workplace learning how everything works. It is mesmerizing at the start. New things are happening in Swindon which great to see.

8/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The structure has been fairly similar from the start. I believe it is good. There are weekly reviews to see how everyone is doing, and any problems can be raised. We also have a 3 monthly review at the end of the placement where our mentor and trainer talk about what you have done and need to improve.

8/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Personally I receive a lot of help from my employer. I have a medical condition which can make things hard. Because my employer knew about this before hand they were very helpful. If i needed help they gave it to me. Like some extra time to do some of my college work.

10/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

Unfortunately my training provider isn't as good as my employer. I had some of my training through lockdown which obviously doesn't work as well as normal. I believe there aren't enough teachers to simply teach individually. It seems like they are teaching 2 classes at once.

6/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

There are aspects of the training that helps and other units that doesn't seem to apply to me. But it is all good to know. Like there are some electrical units and I do not deal with any of this. But it will help if I want to change jobs in any sort of way.

8/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

There are not many activities in Swindon. There are more extra-curricular within Oxford. However within the apprenticeship we plan activities to do together; and it is similar within departments outside of the apprenticeship. You can get involved in the Charity champions, and we always dress up for children in need. As apprentices we do a lot of school events.

6/10

9a. Would you recommend BMW Group to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

BMW is family. At the moment BMW has a lot of employees at an older age and they are always teaching us good life lessons. Everyone is friends and we meet up at the weekend. The money is great and it is fairly easy to work up the ladder if you want the higher graded jobs.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BMW Group?

Be yourself and honest. Unfortunately it is a long process so if you haven't heard anything back do not be downhearted. You need to apply in January ready to start the job in September. Say what you are good at but you also need to recognize your not so good aspects.