Pilot build Review

I work in pilot build at Ryton. On a day to day basis we build prototype vehicles together. I'm in my first year and I am mostly at college. At Trident we do 6 weeks of practical work in the workshops, so far i have done fitting, welding and turning. In the classroom I have started leaning ancillary, EEP, engine principles, chassis, maths, daring and health and safety.

In the workshop I developed on my fitting skills. In secondary school I had used files, hacksaws and drills but on wood. In the workshop we went into a lot more depth with fitting activities and i am now able to bend material, use a pillar drill by my self, use a power saw and create radius's. Turning and Welding are completely new skills which I have learnt, I'm really enjoying welding as its very hands on and its not too complicated to understand. Majority of the class room lessons are all new to me, leaning in depth about vehicles like in chassis, engine principles and ancillary. They have been very interesting.

It is a long day but i think the programme allows us to learn many different and new skills especially in the workshop. Even though what I am learning is new to me, the three week workshop blocks can be too intense as doing the same tasks repetitively all day for 3 weeks is very intense, it can become demotivating. All the lessons in the classroom blocks I am finding interesting, however not all of the teaching is supportive and so is leading to myself and classmates falling behind which is stressful.

I feel very valued by JLR. I think the company has put a lot of effort into making sure we are getting everything we need and are learning the right stuff. Some of the colleges staff let them down due to standard of teaching. Having the WOBLMs in college is useful as you can go to someone for support. The company has given us great experiences like the young women in the know week, the ricoh induction and being able to go into plant makes me feel more confident towards being there full time next year as i have an good understanding of whats going to be happening and I've had the opportunity to meet everyone.

The block system is very frustrating when in the workshop as doing the same thing all day for 3 weeks is demotivating and stressful. Majority of teaching in the classroom is great however our chassis/ engine management lessons have been very poor. Also the health and safety has no structure meaning we have had to independently teach our selves and this means we don't have a full understanding of the subject. The degree apprentices have been given a lot more attention especially In the induction.

All the teachers are happy to help which is good as i feel as though i have support. However when incidents occur to do with poor teaching nothing is being done to improve whats going on. Workshops are under staffed and so when you need support its difficult to get it as you have to wait such a long time also you don't learn everything to do with the UPKs and so they can be a struggle and the staff cant help you as they have to support the people in the workshop.

Our employers support us quite well. Having the 1 2 1 meetings is good because you able to discuss how to improve and get advice. In plant our supervisor meets with us at the starts and end of the weeks we have been in for we can discuss issues and ask question which is useful. The focus groups allowed us to discuss our issues with the college to out employees however they did say no instant changes will be made and so this isn't very supporting.

I think that we get paid a good amount and having the rate for stage helps further. Food at the college is priced quite high however so on days when I don't bring pack lunch I have to spend around £5 just for a lunch meal. Having to pay for the train to college was £178 a month which was a lot to pay out but now I pay a lift share £20 a week and so my weekly wage supports that.

The company gives us £200 ELS which allows us to do activities out side of work funded by them. Because i'm not in plant full time i don't have much idea about their external opportunities and so this is something first years could be educated about.

Yes

Its such a good opportunity, over the 4 years you learn so much practical skills and theory stuff improving your education. You have a lot of independence and get to mix with a wide variety of people. It has lots of different path ways and allows you time find something you enjoy doing whilst being paid.

Make sure your prepared for assessment days and share fairs and starting college so your full aware and educated on whats going to be happening and what information you need to know, tasks you need to do or files you need to read through. Be relaxed and make sure to ask questions as that's only going to benefit your self. Be open for new tasks.