Rating

6.2/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • I work in powertrain, where we develop build and test engines. There are multiple departments within powertrain which are Emissions and PEMS, Vehicle Workshop, Engine build, Palletisation and engine test so your days are never really the same. But at the moment not much goes on, this is because the company is struggling but also when in powertrain its all project work; so when a project ends there is a large gap between when the next project starts. But you can be building prototype engines one week then the next be out performing road test on cars and measuring the emmision levels produced. You could even be doing an engine swap and a car. The work does vary quite a lot.

    7/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • I knew nothing about engines before starting, I haven't yet had any engine lessons at college but they are going to start next year. But when at work you have to be on the ball, most people will ask you how much you know when first meeting you, this is just so they don't miss out the simple things but also so he or she doesn't ramble on about complex things when you're sitting there confused.

    9/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • Its on and off, its depending on if there is work available basically, you can end up with an entire placement of no work where you will just have to stand around, but then the week you leave you'll find out that everyone's flat out in there, so that can put a downer on your mood but you just have to understand how prototype works.

    6/10

  • 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • The course is structured very well, I know exactly which departments I will be in throughout the entire year, some places you do require training but unfortunately they have had to cut back on that, so whereas you would usually stringo the cars around in emmisions, you won't be able to as you don't have a licence for it.

    8/10

  • 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • If you ask for support im sure you would get it, but there are certain people you don't go to when wanting help, some people are better at explaining and are more understanding when you don't know something. This is all a guess though as i'd rather not ask for help cause its awkward.

    4/10

  • 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
  • College is average, nothing special about it. The lessons aren't massively engaging, in reality the maths and mechanical principles are the best lessons, you feel a sense of achievement when completing it. Some lessons the teacher will come in and say if you need help ask if not get on with your work, and some people may find this bad but a lot of us prefer it as we are here to learn and this is our job so we don't just sit around doing nothing.

    6/10

  • 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
  • The qualification isn't anything amazing to be honest. Its a level 3 extended diploma, a lot of the people working there are usually from garage backgrounds, many of them didn't go to college but the company will pay for their teaching. For my job role so far its not helped really; the workshop lessons have been useful but I do a lot of welding lessons when I don't weld at work at all, we have a department we bring it to for that, but I've been told that in the third year its more specific but I would have preferred to have a bit of knowledge earlier to help at work. An example from college is that the class of vehicle operations which in there job role they basically change body panels on cars, did engine and vehicle principles in their first year, now I work in powertrain which is prototype engines, we have a vehicle workshop where we could be doing any job on a car, yet I still only have a very basic car knowledge given to me by the college.

    4/10

  • 8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
  • I have been asked to go and play football once by people at work but I don't run unless I have too. Seeing as I don't have a final job role until the end of my 4 years unlike the other apprentices; so this doesn't help with joining teams and doing activities but then It's great for networking as long as you are a good talker. Once in my job role I'm sure i'll find out about the activities and be invited.

    6/10

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


  • 9b. Why?
  • The money here is great, and the work isn't too hard. The lower down jobs like mine and others are the hardest to perform and require the most strength, time and effort but we get an amazing wage for it. I feel like JLR is a job for life.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JLR?
  • Be different; I had no knowledge of cars. I'm not that crazy about them either, but it is about being the right type of person which is, wanting to learn and being a strong character. Communication is also key even if its just small talk while you're waiting to be called in for your interview. And being able to talk and listen is very important. And being respectful.


Details

Level 3 Apprenticeship

Engineering

Coventry

April 2019


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