Rating

6.7/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • Training to be a PLC and controls software engineer. Daily jobs involve followup actions from breakdowns such as finding the root cause and where possible applying preventative actions. Investigation of recurring faults on equipment. Additionally I have a line engineer role where any maintenance concerns software or otherwise are investigated and dealt with by myself for specific allocated production lines.

    8/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • Qualifications currently completed are NVQ2, NVQ3 in manufacturing engineering. HNC in manufacturing engineering. Currently the majority of the way through an NVQ4 and a Beng degree in manufacturing systems engineering. Basic practical engineering disciplines where gained as part of the NVQ2 such as electrical wiring, welding and fabrication, turning, milling and benchwork. No prior training received for PLC programming as this has been entirely on the job training.

    7/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • I enjoy the work I do and the team I work within. The company benefits such as pay and holidays are better than my previous employers. In terms of expectations it exceeds in some ways and not in others. I am the first year to go through the higher apprenticeship scheme, therefore the organisation and planning of job roles, training and experience around the factory has lacked at times and seemed very last minute. It has exceeded expectations in terms of pay and benefits and also the job role I am currently training for. The transferable skills I'm gaining should see me have a successful career in the future.

    8/10

  • 4. How valued do you feel by JLR?
  • Now that I have a department and a job role to work towards I feel valved by my team and area. I feel I contribute and am recognised for that. However as an apprentice moving around different areas gaining experience I felt less valved. As long as your punctual and vaguely interested its a check in the box.

    6/10

  • 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • The higher apprenticeship programme, from my experience of it has been very badly organised and completely lacked leadership and direction. I have missed out on relevant and crucial training.

    2/10

  • 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
  • Lots of support from the University through online materials etc which is useful will modular/distance learning. Support always avaible for the NVQ work though the apprentice assessors.

    8/10

  • 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • Lots of support from the apprentice assessors in plant and department I work in. HR team are very poor. It is now largely online/telephone based and can take weeks to get a simple issue resolved or question answered.

    5/10

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

    8/10

  • 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
  • Yes, large variety or company events and community projects to take part in.

    8/10

  • 9. Would you recommend JLR to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • Learn and earn. Big company with lots of diversity within the job roles. You can either gain experience and leave or stay for a long career.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JLR?
  • Prep yourself for the tests and assessment processes. Give a good account of yourself i.e don't be too shy but don't overwhelm interviews/team assessments. If you don't get through the first time, don't give up.


Details

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Engineering

North West

January 2017


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