Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How valued do you feel by JLR?
- 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
- 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
- 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
- 9. Would you recommend JLR to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JLR?
My job title is a "Mechanical Process Engineer". Currently, I spend my time at college working towards my foundation degree, spending week blocks at plant when college is on holiday. I am on a manufacturing pathway, which involves doing HE lessons in Maths, CAD, ASSET, Manufacturing Processes and Materials. I also undertake level 3 studies in various workshop areas.
I am working on a foundation degree so I am building on my skills I learnt at A level. I have learnt a lot of foundation competency skills within the workshop. I have learnt how to operate different machinery safely such as milling and turning machines. I have also built upon my confidence skills in meeting new people.
So far the program is very enjoyable, the work load is not too bad and the staff are very friendly and supportive. I have plenty to be doing whilst in plant weeks and overall I am enjoying it a lot. It has exceeded my expectations of what the apprenticeship would be.
I have not spent much time working in the JLR plant yet so its hard to answer this question, however, the 2 weeks where I have been working in plant I feel like I have been valued by my supervisor. I have the impression that apprentices are valued a lot by the company as we are the future so they will help us achieve to the best of our potential.
The program is structured very well. The college supports us in training and studying skills as well as providing support in the form of one to one meetings with work based learning managers. There is a constant work load so there is always an assignment or UPK to be getting on with. The introduction into the company was well planned and I thought I got a good insight into the company in just the first week.
Warwickshire College Trident Center is my training provider and I feel like they are doing a lot to help support me. I have a lot of tutor sessions where I can work on independent work and there would be a tutor to ask if I become stuck on anything. There is guidance with all subjects and the attitude of staff is very positive. I do enjoy it.
We have constant one to one meetings and reviews with our work based working manager to monitor our progress and we can raise concerns with them if we thing anything could be improved. They have a good attitude towards helping us and will support us with what ever we need.
I am currently living at home and commute 60 miles to work. The salary is very generous for an apprentice wage and the living and travel costs are easily manageable. I have plenty left over after my bills to enjoy a good social life too. The company provides pay rises every 6 months and plenty of deals as a JLR employee such as a cycle to work scheme where JLR will pay for the tax on a new bike for you.
As I am in full time college this year, there are not many opportunites outside of work. I do enjoy playing 5 aside football with some of my colleagues after work on a Friday, but I have not been told about and company events or activities that I can join in with. It is also difficult for myself to join in with activities this year as I have a 90 minute commute home. Once I start at plant full time I feel like I will be able to get stuck in with more activities.
Yes
JLR is a global company with thousands of opportunities for you to work in different areas. The apprentices are valued by managers and once I finish my apprenticeship I will be qualified for a role above team leaders. The pay check is a huge bonus too, not to mention having my degree paid for. It is also a really good feeling to be noticed by my local neighbours in my JLR uniform and they would take the time to talk to me and ask about the apprenticeship. It puts me in a very good place for the future.
If you are lucky enough to be invited to an assessment center then you should definable do some research into what the company values and what kind of employees JLR are looking for. You need to be yourself in interviews because if you try to be someone who you are not then the interviewers will see right through it. If you are offered a place then it could be scary if you do not know anyone, so during the boarding process try to talk to as many people as you can. I would like to have been told in more detail about the first year of my apprenticeship such as what I would be doing and what qualifications I would be working towards.
Details
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
East Midlands
January 2017