Business Apprentice Review

I am in warehousing operations and consumables which deals with goods in and goods out from the lorries to the various warehouses. Every morning, I read and reply to emails and check my calendar for the day. Then, I join a team meeting to overlook if there are any issues we may encounter this week. I will then attend the other relevant meetings including, material flow planning, mentoring sessions and a Sankey alignment meeting. The rest of my day is completing projects I am responsible for.

My communication skills have been developed and are constantly developing. This is growing my confidence and allowing me to increase my network. I have learnt how to be analytical and question thoughts and ideas in various topics, as well as identify the needs and wants to create a successful outcome for the projects I am involved in.

I enjoy the programme the majority of the time. I enjoy meeting new people in different departments that I visit and learning new things every day that I did not even know existed! I enjoy seeing and hearing about the real issues in the workplace and how things can be dealt with to make things better!

It is well structured in terms of placements planning, however, the structure within each department is not as good. Sometimes work is slow or minimal or you have to ask for work because you do not have enough! - managers are willing to help but a bit more planning is required before starting the placement.

I receive lots of support, everyone states that no question is a silly question. All of my managers support me with day-to-day activities and bigger topics such as choosing placements and general wellbeing. I have regular 1-1s and progress reviews with placements managers, apprentice managers and fellow apprentices.

I receive good support from my training provider. For example, general day-to-day lectures provide sufficient detail and responses to my questions, the responses on teams and email are prompt and helpful for a wide range of topics and feedback on assignments are good.

I believe that my qualification is supporting me with my role, rather than my qualification helping my job role. It is easier to have the experience at work to then relate the examples in my assignments at uni. My qualification may help me perform better at work when some of the modules are more relevant.

Yes, we have a Get Involved page that offers the chance to join various groups. For example, junior campus, charity champions, UTC Oxfordshire, Girls go Technical, Career events, Apprentice newsletter, Three peaks challenge, Racing team, Sharepoint, Tiny forests, network hub, MOVE programme and many sports clubs. I am part of Charity Champions.

Yes

You learn so much! The experience is invaluable. The people you meet are from a wide range of backgrounds with so many different experiences they can share with you. It shows you the reality of working in a big company with lots of support behind you! You never feel alone and everyone wants to help.

I would suggest that you go for it and give your all! Show how hard-working and organised you are, your willingness to work and network with others. Allow your character to shine through. BMW value you as a person more than your current capabilities because they are willing to invest in someone with potential.