Electrical engineer Review

First year starts with a five days a week at Warwickshire college, studying for a foundation degree. I study mathematics, mechanical principles, electronics and materials science. These subjects are all really interesting and are all linked to automotive industry. As well as studying for the foundation degree, there are workshop lessons. These lessons can range from electronics practicals to auto mechanical lessons. These will allow you to get hands on and take the knowledge from the classroom and apply it. Often there are many points you can run your own experiments in the workshops for your foundation degree research. In college holidays, in first year you will go to your respective plant for a week. In electrical the apprentices rotate around all the areas. This is a great way to find out which area is best suited to the apprentice.

My interpersonal skills have definitely been heightened, being able to talk to different workers at plant. This also has helped with my confidence when giving presentations. There are many times when presentations must be made, whether it be for the degree work or to a manager evaluating the work you have done. I have become a lot more independent. This apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to move out of home and easily support myself.

There are points where the amount of college work becomes extremely high, and all focus must go to revising and writing assignment. However, when the work is done the satisfaction is very high and you can chill and go to the pub with no worries. Everyone is very friendly and will help you at all times. The apprenticeship is great fun, the activities that will be set up in the fist year are fantastic and will allow great learning opportunities.

There are points were college timetabling is incorrect, but this will always be sorted. The structure of going to plant in week blocks allows apprentices to slowly migrate into the engineering world, without it being too overpowering. Ever year of the apprenticeship pushes you to another qualification, building you up to finish a degree in applied engineering.

There is always someone to talk to. All apprentices are assigned a work based learning manager, who will arrange a 1:1 meeting every term to check how your JLR life and home life is. I discuss any problems that may be affecting your day to day life. When in plant all managers will be happy to talk regarding any problems that there may be.

The college is excellent at assisting. If there are any points were you do not understand the lecturers will happily go over the work again and give you the help you need. Also all the lecturers are shared with apprentices so they can be gone over in their own time.

The first year of college has greatly improved my knowledge in electronics and in how cars work. Through learning at college, I now understand the work I am given in placements. Knowing how the car operates allows me to complete work based projects. I can use the theory I have learnt to work out problems that come up.

There are currently no events set up for apprentices. However, many apprentices set their own teams up and create their own social events. Once at Warwick University, there is a huge array of activities to join. At JLR one of the biggest benefits is they offer to pay towards training towards an outside of work event. This can range from driving lessons to cooking courses, the choice is yours.

Yes

It is a brilliant company to work for. The brand is such a huge icon and it will feel amazing completing an apprenticeship with JLR. The company offers immense support to workers and apprentices, always offering learning opportunities to advance yourself. When working on a project it is very fulfilling seeing your work being part of a final production car.

Have a passion for cars! It is key. You want to be working on projects which have no meaning to you. The application process starts with your CV. Put as much detail about your skills and attributes on it. Why do you want to be an engineer. The assessment center days are very relaxed, keep calm and take any projects you have worked on with you to show. Always looks good!