Level 3 Maintenance Apprentice Review

I am a maintenance apprentice at BMW Hams Hall. During my apprenticeship up to current (the end of the third year) i have done a full year educating at James Watt college and two full years on site shadowing technicians, getting involved in innovative projects and learning how to maintain equipment, machines and production lines

I have learned an incredibly vast amount of new skills during my apprenticeship programme to date. These range from the basics of using various tools correctly and effectively such as drills, saws and much more. My problem solving skills and task approachment management has improved tremendously since i started due to the invaluable experience that i have gained on site working with experienced colleagues.

I enjoy my programme a huge amount. The first year at college was a challenge mentally due to both the work required but also the environment however i know now looking back that it was important to get through it and pick up the skills i needed to bring on site for the last two years. The people that i have worked with and the jobs that i have been involved in have been motivational and enjoyable in years 2 and 3 and i have learned a huge deal.

The structure of the programme is very good. From day one, it was explained in detail that the following plan would take place: Year 1 - College (Basics and start Level 3 qualifications) Year 2 - First year at plant with one day release to college (For level 3 completion) Year 3 - Foundation degree one day release (If accepted onto the additional course) Year 4 - Final placement, Foundation degree completion, End of programme (End Point Assessment)

I receive a great amount of support from my managers. I have had 3 managers in my time and it has sometimes been challenging with the lack of continuity. However, despite this, every single manager has always been present at any point to support me whether that is on the phone or face to face.

Working towards level 3 at James Watt college was very easy. The support that the lecturers gave to us as students was more than enough to ensure that we gained all of the knowledge required in order to achieve the highest marks. The same can be said again in the Foundation Degree with a member of staff in particular teaching me electronics, microprocessors and others being very impactful. However, there is a lack of ability to communicate between the high ups and the students. In the Year 3 and first year at James Watt there were issues with the timetables and there were times that we all struggled to understand what our day entailed. And now in the foundation degree we had serious issues with out PLC course as they were not able to recruit a suitable PLC lecturer putting us in a difficult learning scenario

My qualification has not actually helped me much at work. I personally have felt that i actually had the opposite effect. The teaching from colleagues on site at work have given me the skills and knowledge that have made my academic qualifications easier. This is because i feel that the qualifications learned at college are more to tick a box rather than to be used in work

There are many different activities to get involved in at work. Particularly on festive periods like the summer and the christmas holidays there is always a gathering of colleagues to have a "christmas party" where morale is built. There are also things such as departement ran football events where people from different departments will meet to burn off some steam in friendly football competitions

Yes

I would recomend BMW group to individuals looking for a career in engineering. The oppurtunities such as abroad working, hugely experienced workforces and many different internal business cultures is very important for young people to learn and capitalise on. I would reccomened this personally over going to somewhere like sixth form because i personally came from sixth form into the apprentership and the skills and enjoyment i have gained from an apprentership makes me regret not coming 2 years prior

I would recomend BMW group to individuals looking for a career in engineering. The oppurtunities such as abroad working, hugely experienced workforces and many different internal business cultures is very important for young people to learn and capitalise on. I would reccomened this personally over going to somewhere like sixth form because i personally came from sixth form into the apprentership and the skills and enjoyment i have gained from an apprentership makes me regret not coming 2 years prior