Maintenance Technician Review

On a Monday i do work towards my BTEC level 3 and the rest of the week is spent in the workshop completing practical and paperwork towards my level 2. There are a number of rotations that are completed every 4 weeks and this takes up the majority of my time.

prior to this apprenticeship i did not have any previous engineering experience since i did A-levels and that had no practical engineering tasks. The workshop has taught me a lot of new practical skills as well as the theory behind these as well. There are 10 rotations that each teach you different skills.

I enjoy the programme, it has taught me a lot of new relevant information that i will need for my job role at the end. The tutors that teach you on each rotation have their own specialisations that are paramount when learning each of the skills and their experience is helpful as they can show you how they would do their work.

In the first year i go to Oxford MINI Plant and attend the BMET college on site. The BMET college has had its up and downs this year in regards to tutors and has sometimes been up in the air and has left us wondering what is going to be happening but a plan has always been put in place so our learning wasn't disrupted.

I think i receive a lot of support from my employer. My manager is always on the other side of the phone incase she is needed or if i have any questions. We have a weekly meeting with our manager where we can discuss any problems or ask any questions and we have a 6 monthly review where we monitor my progress and get feedback.

I have a review every 3 months to monitor my progress at college and it is an opportunity for me ask any questions and for them to give me any feedback. If there are any issues there are safeguarding officers on site that i can contact incase there are any issues. The managers and tutors have an open door policy which allows us to enter any time and enquire about any problems or issues and are always happen to help.

Through all the workshop rotations you learn the basic skills that will be expanded on further when we actually enter our second year and will continue to be improved on through the rest of the years. The BTEC mondays allow you to learn theory behind a lot of engineering practices and show us why certain things happen.

There are opportunities for a lot of extra curricular. I am a part of the apprentice insight which a newsletter lead by apprentices across England. I am also a part of the apprentice Liaison team. I am also a part of the conservation team in Swindon which myself and 4 others started this year.

Yes

The apprenticeship has taught me a lot even in the first year and will continue to expand my knowledge. It will open a lot of doors for your future and you work for a globally known brand. Within the BMW Group there are a lot of different pathways that can be taken.

Your attitude is very important. Your employer wants someone who has a good drive and a good outlook. I think this is sometimes more important than what you know because it is an apprenticeship so you are here to learn but they want you to take every opportunity and always do your best.