Motor vehicle Technician Review

I am a training vehicle technician. This involves working on the latest models JLR are releasing, preparing vehicles for press launches and other press related events. It can involves simply visually checking over the vehicle to replacing parts that are prototype parts or broken etc.

I have been able to develop myself with my ability to work on the cars, while also gaining a good foundation of understanding on the theoretical working principles of automotive technology

The work itself is great when available, however the amount of experience I am gaining is not to the level I believe is required to feel fully developed as a technician/mechanic by the end of my time. The college experience has been wrought with problems that are not self inflicted. I feel that there has also been too many irrelevant units to complete for the National Diploma.

This has varied throughout my time. At times you do feel valued and that you are been recognised for hard work and trying your best. At other times some people, particularly at supervisor level make you feel that you are the lowest of their concerns in their daily responsibilities and would sooner have you working elsewhere.

Not well at all. The program has changed a lot from what I was told I would be doing at the beginning, some teachers have been poorly organised in getting assignments to us all to often, leaving us overwhelmed with tonnes of work to do come the end of the year.

Support and extra guidance is available from the training provider if you need it. Teachers are always willing to listen to your questions and help you out as much as they can.

Management level do not really interact with apprentices where I am based and supervisors vary, at the moment, 1 is interested and wants you to do well, and wants you to drive yourself, the other supervisor just seems to want to be rid of you from the workshop. I do have a work based learning manager who intercedes between you, the company and the college and he does a good job of sticking up for you and trying to help you develop as much as possible.

Yes it does at the moment, I am very well paid for an apprentice. I am married with 2 children and even though I am an apprentice we are able to pay all our bills and live comfortably

The company fund you to do one self developing program per year, you're given plenty of opportunities to volunteer for career days at local schools or larger national events.

Yes

I would recommend the company to anyone because it is expanding all the time and does invest in you, pay you well and give employees plenty of benefits but I would not specifically recommend my department within the company.

Make sure you have a good initial level of understanding already in the field you want to go into, especially if it will involve training to be a mechanic. You should have a good understanding of and a keen interest in cars if you want to do well.