Product Design & Development Engineer Review

As a first year apprentice, the majority of the time is spent at college. The college operates on a 3 week block rotation system to build foundational competencies and get every apprentice up to the same level. These blocks vary between workshop activities, e.g welding, fitting, milling, turning, CNC etc and classroom modules, e.g mathematics, materials and manufacturing. Although these skills may not be directly used in our job roles, it is good for giving us background engineering knowledge. I believe we are the last cohort to be doing this, future cohorts will go straight to Warwick Uni.

Yes, many. The different workshop blocks have given us the opportunity to experience and learn different modules which I had never done before. We also receive world class training suited to our job roles. For example, as design engineers, we must have a high proficiency in CAD. As a result, we are enrolled on an intense CAD training program which we do every other month.

The program is very enjoyable. As the company hire a lot of apprentices, there is almost a university feel to the course, with lots of people the same age and in the same situation. The company treats employees well and I feel proud to work for JLR. There are some unenjoyable modules and parts of the program which need to be improved, but overall, I am very happy as an apprentice for JLR.

The apprenticeship from the perspective of my department is very well organised. There is a clear plan and pathway for each of us within the body engineering department. However, the first year is outsourced to the training provider who are not very well organised. This is mostly day to day stuff such as confusions with classrooms and timetabling.

JLR are very involved in the apprenticeships. We regularly see our work based learning managers when in college and when we aren't in college, we are being integrated into the company. If support is needed, then the company are very willing to help. There is a large support network of managers and employees available to help apprentices.

At college, the tutors offer all the support they can when working on assignments in the classroom or with the practical skills on the workshop side of the course. There are online resources also available as well as a library. College staff are very willing to help via email or in person.

I believe the first and second year of the program are useful to have but not necessary for the job role. I believe future cohorts will not do the first two years. The first two years are a foundation degree which is to help everyone get to the same level. I think it isn't necessary and that people could adapt without having done the first 2 years.

Yes. Examples include the graduate and apprentice magazine which is made by apprentices and graduates for apprentices and graduates within the business. There is also an apprentice and graduate forum which advertises the extra curricular activities being organised. There is also opportunity to help with CSR at the various STEM programmes which the company sponsors.

Yes

It is a fantastic place to work and the scheme is very interesting. The degree apprenticeship route makes much more sense from both a financial and educational point of view. As there is a large cohort of apprentices, you don't miss out too much on the university lifestyle with this program, whilst being paid to study and work on exciting projects.

I would advise that applicants do as much work experience as they can as well as relevant extra curricular stuff. Look out for STEM competition/enrichment schemes such as the Arkwright Scholarship Trust and Smallpeice residentials. Look at STEM competitions such as 4x4 in schools, teen tech, big band etc. Doing projects outside of school will provide evidence of your engineering passion.