Degree Apprentice Review

I am a design engineer based in Vehicle Package Engineering. One of the main functions of our department is to design areas of the vehicle where there may be issues between multiple departments. My role mainly consists of CAD use, to take measurements around the vehicle and design and engineer components, collaborating with engineers from other departments.

I learn new skills every day; predominantly CAD skills. We have been given extensive CAD training in an effort to make us expert car designers, with our most recent training course allowing us to create a CAD tool that will be used by the business in future. We are given constant feedback on our behaviours, such as communication skills in order to develop these sort of skills as well.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme, I work in a relaxed work environment, where I am surrounded by people who are friendly and always happy to help whenever I need it. I am constantly given opportunities to learn and develop, with occasional opportunities for random, fun activities such as being driven around the test track.

The work side of my programme is very well structured, with a clear plan for the apprenticeship set our by my manager. If this ever changes, he is transparent about the changes and tells us ASAP. The college side of the programme is not very well organised, as it is common for us to be given incorrect information and for plans to change.

My manager is very personable, always making an effort to be friendly and take an interest in me, such as chatting about our weekends etc. He also places a big emphasis on learning and development, for example, giving us a little time each week to learn about anything we like related to cars! My manager is always available to help, even if he is doing something else, he will drop it if you ask him to assist you with anything and I feel I could go to him for help with any issues, work related or not.

The support from our training provider is good at times. The lecturers are available most of the time, so if you require extra support they are likely to give you that, for example, some tutors offer extra revision sessions outside of college hours. However, there have been issues with the quality of Higher Education from my training provider, leading to many disputes between apprentices and college, some of which have not been resolved.

There is some transferable knowledge, for example, manufacturing processes was a first year module on the apprenticeship which contains useful knowledge for designing components, as I understand the method that will be used to manufacture the part. We have also been given CAD training at college, which helped us understand the basics of CAD when we first entered the business. However, some knowledge is not transferable, such as the mathematics we learn at college, such as calculus, which I am unlikely to use in my job role.

There are many extra-curricular activities available through work, for example, there is a gym on site at Gaydon. It is also common for colleagues to arrange social events outside work times, such as meals or nights out, depending on the team you work in and the people you work with. JLR also offer an Employee Learning Scheme, where every year you are given £200 pounds to take part in a learning activity of your choice, such as learning a new language or kayaking.

Yes

It is an excellent business to work for, with an enjoyable working environment and excellent facilities, such as a Costa and a Starbucks inside the building I work in! The business recognises the benefits of training and developing its workforce, shown by the extensive number of optional training courses available, from online Business Management courses to Off Road Driving courses.

Show your willingness to learn and develop your skills, as this will allow you to become as proficient at your job role as possible. It is a very cooperative environment, where you will be working with other people every day, so it is important to have a friendly personality and good people skills. If you are accepted, make use of all of the opportunities you are given, such as all of the optional training and the extra-curricular activities that are available .