Degree Apprentice Review

by JLR

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7.3/10

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

My role involves going to college to study for a FdEng and NVQ Level 2 as well as working in plant with the Networks team, working on the future architecture of vehicles. This involves shifting between academic and professional environments, with no two days ever being the same

8/10

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

Along side my studies for the FdEng and NVQ, I also practise communication in regular meetings with the team and other departments, as well as on the job engineering experience that is not normally taught in University.

8/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I wasn't sure what to expect, but the program is enjoyable, providing challenges to stop boredom, along with supportive staff who help out if there should be any problems.

8/10

4. How valued do you feel by JLR?

Jaguar Land Rover have a good pay rate and a self improvement scheme whereby they pay for courses you may wish to do, up to £200 pounds worth within a year.

7/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The organisation does not feel coherent, with some aspects being run better than others. The apprenticeship is in a state of flux at the moment, with the new government inspired trailblazer. With this in consideration, it is actually overall run quite well.

6/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

The training provider is supportive to a degree, but there are regular intervals where students feel that the course is not in their best interest, or that of JLR

5/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Although there is a discord between the academic and professional environments at a managerial level, this overall is not too much of a problem. Managers in plant can be very supportive, but this can vary according to manager. I am lucky to have gotten an understanding manager who understand that I may need to use some time at work for academic study, given the busy nature of the apprenticeship.

7/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

The salary for this apprenticeship is excellent, providing a better wage than most other apprenticeships. It is more than adequate to provide for independent individuals in the area.

10/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

As yet I have not really had much opportunity provided outside of work, with the exception of the excellent £200 self improvement fund. I believe there are further opportunities I just haven't researched them yet

7/10

9. Would you recommend JLR to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

The overall combination of good wage, multiple qualifications, relevant work experience in a job that is better than any I've had before is a winner.

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

Keep calm on the tests, and just be yourself. If you're not the right fit for the company you wouldn't get the best out of it.