Level 6 Manufacturing Engineering Technician Review

I am a L6 Engineering Technician Apprentice at BMW Group, where I work at the MINI Plant Swindon, the source of 90% of the body panels and components for the MINI. I am in my first year and currently it is full-time college. 4 days a week in the workshop learning practical skills in a variety of modules such as electrical, hand-fitting, welding, milling and turning. Then 1 day a week it is college day, where we are completing assignments and exams- working towards our degree qualification.

In the workshop the modules were all completely new to me, and I was able to gain some skills from the start and by the end of it I was able to produce quality assessment pieces.

I really do enjoy it because each day you're seeing all these brand new cars being made and being part of this massive company is something to be proud of. The programme allows you to grow with the company and be able to gain the knowledge needed later on down the line.

The course is structured well and we all have an understanding of what will happen each year, and what we can prepare ourselves for such as college reviews, pay reviews, placements, and even holiday dates.

We receive a lot of support from the employer, we have opportunities for extra-curricular activities and have weekly meetings with our manager reporting back how our week has been. They are always a phone call / text message away from getting help. They encourage you to complete additional training that is relevant to your job role.

The training provider struggle to give support because they aren't familiar with the structure of the course themselves- some tutors/lecturers misunderstand some of the things we say. The assignments are very difficult to understand with the way they are structured. Most of the time we are required to teach ourselves.

As an apprentice at BMW Group, the qualification obtained through the training provider allows you to have the necessary knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience to help with the specific area within the company. For example, doing welding in the workshop allows you to prepare yourself for welding the die-presses. In the same way, learning PLC coding will benefit you when fixing the robots in the factory.

Yes, there is a lot of extra-curricular activities such as charity team, newsletter team, tiny forest project, MOVE program, networking with the other plants (nationally and internationally). Most of these activities are apprentice run, we also do have football teams and times where we will meet outside of work for a social event.

Yes

[7:54 AM] Solistan Vimalathas Working at BMW Group as an apprentice offers invaluable hands-on experience, access to cutting-edge technology, and mentorship from industry experts. It's a great opportunity to learn and grow within a renowned company known for its innovation and commitment to excellence in automotive engineering. Plus, apprenticeships often lead to long-term career opportunities within the company.

When applying to BMW Group apprenticeships, learn about BMW Group's values, products, and the specific apprenticeship program you're interested in. Showcase your passion for technology, engineering, and automotive industry. Prepare for Interviews and be ready to discuss your motivation, skills, and how you can contribute to BMW Group. Highlight traits such as teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.