Degree Apprentice Review

I attend college once a week at Warwickshire Trident College to complete my Engineering Foundation degree. The rest of the week involves working in Gaydon plant, carrying out a variety of tasks each day. This includes completing project scoping and constructing CAD models to test out on real vehicle programs and designs.

Everyday I am learning new skills. This include advanced CAD modelling skills, as well as development engineering knowledge about the component I am researched and designing. I have learn about materials, manufacturing processes, engineering methods from different departments, including Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Thermal and aerodynamics systems engineering, instead of just my home department.

I am very proud and happy to have the job I have. It fills me with pride and satisfaction knowing that even as an apprentice, I am making a big difference to the company in my own way. The job role I am in is perfect for me and everyone is friendly and great to be around.

The programme is very well organised, with targets and goals set in place to achieve world class standard of engineering. The training is thought out and well structured, with a detailed timetable and excellent training and learning opportunites in order to grow as engineers and develop our CAD and communication skills.

A special group is assigned to me in order to also have a base of support around me at all times whilst working. I have a mentor support, mentor, lead, manager and technical supervisor to guide me and answer all questions I have about anything, such as project, CAD, engineering or general work.

Warwickshire college lecturers provide a large amount of support and since the class sizes are small and manageable, you build up a small close nit working relationship in order to easily ask questions and be supported in assignment work, but also any other form of support required, including the work based learning managers given to us.

The work we do at college and university will become a key aspect to use within our job roles. The engineering, business, design and CAD knowledge developed in college and university are used when researching and developing projects. Without the essential core training, projects would be impossible to complete without that foundation knowledge.

We have multiple in work and out of work communities to join in with. A Corporate social responsibility week allows us to give back to those in need and work together in teams to develop a small project in a nursery for example. We often have department dinners or outings such as supplier trips to attend.

Yes

Jaguar Land Rover offers hands on training combined with a very good learning degree and university course. Everything is provided by the company and you receive a salary, feeling like an employee and member of the workforce. JLR has provided the perfect career opportunity as a potential job option opens up at the end of the apprentice, unlike a university course.

The assessment day at Jaguar Land Rover was a test of who you are. They are assessing you as a person, so just be yourself! The on boarding and training is well organised so the best thing to do is put the most effect in to reap the best rewards out.