Emissions Measurement Technology Engineer Review

I work with the portable emissions measurement equipment within Jaguar Land Rover, conducting servicing, maintenance and fault rectification, including stripping down analysers. Additionally I conduct laboratory testing of aldehydes and ketones for selling vehicles in Brazilian and North American markets. I have run projects in continuous improvements, improving gas supply and reducing analysis time in the lab.

I have learnt many skills during my time on the apprenticeship. I have completed a foundation degree in Engineering, an NVQ Level 4 qualification and am working towards a Beng Hons at Warwick University in Applied Engineering. I have completed training courses in Risk Assessments and COSHH courses, personal development training including time and pressure management, dealing with change and a HR for Supervisors course.

I enjoy the day to day work as it challenges me and helps develop my ability to fault find and work methodically. I have developed in stakeholder management due to contrasting customer needs. The team I work with is skilled and it is enjoyable tackling problems as a team. The company has instilled values in the team and we are all working towards the same end goal.

The basic structure of the course is very good and well define, but the low-level details are not well organised. The experience at the college and university had many small disruptions and communications from the apprentice management team is generally poor. My in-plant supervisor is much better and responds well to my requests. I get good opportunities to complete work in work time, and I fit well into my area of responsibility.

I receive good support from my employer. My supervisor actively is involved with supporting my work and development. The HR team is quick to respond to my requests and my manager provides good leadership for my problems. The support from university towards my studies is also good, I can contact my lecturers when I have queries and need support.

Warwickshire College support was good for the first couple of years of the course, however since leaving the college and moving on to university, the support from WCG (training provider) has been much less influencial and do not have much input. I have a meeting every few months with a work-based learning manager who checks on my progress.

WCG (training provider) provided me with a base level of skills that have been useful in the work place. Hand skills from fitting, milling and turning have developed my ability to service equipment, and skills such as business improvement techniques (BIT) and computer skills. The theory of automotive technologies has helped me understand our products and the operation of individual functions withing the cars.

Social activities and sports teams are not well advertised and is very dependent on the team you work in and whether your department invests in socials. There is a JLR Challenge yearly which is a hike and events weekend, but places are very limited and it is not easy to secure a place. There are good discounts to gyms and classes associated with the company and they have an Employee Learning Scheme that provides employees with £200 to spend outside of work to develop skills (not necessarily relating to the job - e.g. learn to snowboard).

Yes

The company offers good opportunities, is committed to developing the people and upskilling. The pay is very competitive and the opportunities presented are very good. The team I work with is full of interesting people with skills and knowledge that is shared throughout the team. I continue to grow based on the responsibilities that I am given in the workplace.

The company is very focused on business behaviours and ensuring that those within the company are working towards a common goal, as a team. The skills for the specific job are less important as these can be taught to the right people, but make sure that you highlight the ways in which you meet the desired business behaviours.