Higher Apprentice - Chassis Review

I am a Higher Apprentice in Brakes Development. Most of my daily tasks are support tasks such as measuring brake discs fro various properties as well as bedding brake pads and preparing cars for overseas tests. This involves communicating with the test teams as well as the workshop personel.

I am currently in my third year and have gained a foundation degree as well as an NVQ 3 and am working towards my full degree and NVQ 4. I have also developed communication and time management skills in the work place as well as have a far better knowledge of vehicle systems than when I started.

I enjoy the apprenticeship and like the people that I work with. It is tough studying and working at the same time but most people at work are considerate to this and are helpful in both work activities and supporting in academic ones.

Jaguar Land Rover value their apprentices highly. Within work you are treated just like another member of the team, however managers also understand you have extra workload from academic studies. Jaguar Land Rover also put forward apprentices for external awards every year.

Being only the second year to take this apprenticeship there are obviously organisational niggles and some things that aren't structured as well as they could be. However, the course as a whole is run well. The work based learning managers are a good point of contact and provide regular meetings to voice concerns etc.

At college support was minimal and guidance scarce. However since moving on to the University of Warwick support is more forthcoming. The personal tutor scheme there gives a good point of contact and having a relatively small lecture team makes addressing issues easy. Again college was not enjoyable, however University is as enjoyable as lectures can be...

Jaguar Land Rover offer good support to apprentices with managers very aware of the programme and what it involves. Although they expect workplace work to be completed first, most are happy for academic work to be completed in periods where work is slow.

The salary is easily enough to comfortably live on from day one. I moved from London to the Midlands and could happily live on my starting salary in a one bed flat. Depending on where you live travel can be costly, but where you live is your personal choice and balancing between cheaper rent and lower travel costs is doable.

Spending the first year at college together means that bonds are formed between apprentices meaning that there is always an opportunity for meeting up outside of work. There are also lots of company events and share fairs which apprentices are encouraged to attend as well as various sports clubs on different sites.

Yes

The company is a good one to work for and is constantly planning for the future making jobs relatively secure. They also invest heavily in apprentices and seem to value to programme. The opportunities for training and development with the apprenticeship are huge, as are the opportunities to move around the company once graduated.

The application process is fairly standard with having to complete online tests first before being invited to an assessment day. Here you go through a series of tests and interviews. The setting tends to be fairly relaxed as the interviewers appreciate for many this is their first interview and that they will be nervous etc.