Finance Technician Apprentice Review

My day-to-day job when I am in finance consists of undertaking weekly and monthly reporting. I spend four days a week on site at MINI Plant Oxford, and one day at Oxford Brookes University. As part of my apprenticeship, I go on placements around the business, spending three months in Finance, then three months out on placement. So far I have spent time in Indirect Purchasing and Body-In-White Steering. During the placement, you learn and observe how the department operates whilst also suggesting improvements that the department could make. This is undertaken through project work either given to you by your placement manager or that you create yourself - An outside eye is often valued.

As part of the apprenticeship I have completed a Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration and am currently working towards completing a Degree in Business Management and Communications through Oxford Brookes University. As part of my day-to-day role, my excel skills have improved greatly, in addition to countless other skills such as giving an effective presentation.

I really enojoy my apprenticeship at BMW. The company culture is a great balance between pushing you to your limits so that you grow both as an individual and a team, and also creating a happy, friendly working environment from which i have made many close friends.

Overall i feel very valued by the BMW Group. There have not been any occasions where i have been left out of a project or task that i wanted to be involved in - Infact i often feel the opposite way, for example: "Should i really be able to access all of this information? I'm only an apprentice!" Ofcourse, when i am out on placements, recognition from placement managers varies from department to department, but overall it is very good.

My placement plan was created by my mentor in Finance, which has been rigorously strucutred so that I spend time in the areas that he beleives would be of benefit to me. So far, my placements have followed this plan to the letter which has been really reassuring! This structure also enables my placement managers to anticipate my arrival, therefore making my time spent with them more worthwhile. In addition to this, the Business Apprentices meet with our Line Manager from Training once every two weeks so that if we have any issues we can talk to them, and we also have a similar meeting with the head of all UK Apprentices once every three weeks.

The training provider is very good. The Business Management and Communicaitons degree that i am working towards is an Oxford Brookes Degree that is taught one day a week at Abingdon and Witney College. The tutors are knowledgable and offer a great level of guidance where possible. Tutor availability has been an issue at times, however the overall availability has been good, especially compared with my freind's experience of University tutors.

Generally, i do not look for much support from my employer, however a great deal of effort has been made in order to provide support for those who would like it. For example, I have a mentor in finance who i can talk to about any finance issues and my placement plans, and a bi-weekly meeting with my line manager from Training in which i can raise any issue i have. The general attitude to support is good, however you do need to show that you are putting in the level of effort required.

If re-locating to Oxford, the salary offered for the first 6 months as an apprentice will just about cover your costs - But it is very tight! During the apprenticeship, providing you are performing well, you will be given a payrise every six months. As time progresses, the salary becomes more than enough.

There are opportunities outside of work if you actively search for or create them, however there is room for improvement.

Yes

It's great! I enjoy everything about this apprenticeship: The challenge, the working environment, and being part of a successful company are a few of the main positives for me. The apprenticeship also offers, in my opinion, a better alternative method of completing a degree as it is more like GCSE or A-Level style lessons, teaching and support - Not to mention that BMW provides the funding for the degree! The saraly and benefits of working for BMW are also very competitive.

The application process involves many steps including interviews, online tests, and a variety of exercises you need to impress in at an assessment day. The main advice i would give is practise the online tests before taking them. The numerical and verbal reasoning tests are skills that are acquired through practise, so i would recommend not diving straight into them. In addition to this, practise interview techniqies, learn about the company, etc. But above all - Be yourself (Or at least the best version of yourself!) BMW are looking for a variety of people: leaders, hard workers, creative minds, etc. so do not be afraid of being yourself!