Apprentice Review

by BMW Group

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

5/10

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

I work in a leather shop doing sewing.

7/10

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

I have improved my sewing skills and have learnt how to sew on an industrial machine. I have learnt how to upholster the seats in the car.

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I have enjoyed going to college and learning new skills but it took awhile to start. The course wasn't sorted for the time we got to college so only started in January instead of September. Also when we started at college in September, we didn't get a chance to go into plant. This meant that most of the time we were looking for something to do in college because they weren't organised in the course. 3 months is also a lot of our apprenticeship as its only a 2 year one. This meant we have missed out on time in the plant and going around on placements. I have enjoyed my time in plant. I have been working in different departments around leathershop and have liked trying something new each day.

7/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The whole time at college was very unorganised. The 3 months there wasn't much work to do and they didn't really know what to do with 36 apprentices. Also our course at college was meant to start in September but didn't start till January. This meant that we were behind and didn't have anything to do on those apprenticeship days. We also still don't have a placement plan for the year. I don't know where in plant I am going after May.

3/10

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

I do receive support from my employer but have to ask a lot and follow up a lot as well. This also means that I sometimes don't get support when I need it.

5/10

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

The college has been really helpful with supporting me in the course. But I don't know much about my course. I don't know what's happening with an assessment or gateway, which we should know by now.

6/10

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

The course at college doesn't relate to what I do at plant. At college, we're learning how to work with different materials and learning different techniques. But at work, we only use leather, which we haven't covered at college. I enjoy the college course but it doesn't relate to what we do at plant.

3/10

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.)

I have helped with the school events and have spoken to students about my experience as an apprentice so they could apply.

2/10

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

Yes

9b. Why?

It is a good company and I have enjoyed working straight from school.

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

Don't be late