Degree Apprentice Review

My role involves working on system models and requirements, I also am required to undertake university study, this is often done when I get home or on weekends. I have worked in a hardware team in JLR as an apprentice, during this time I often liaised with suppliers and other teams to deliver a component.

I have developed communication skills, meanwhile working as a hardware engineer, I greatly improved my managing skills and other related soft skills. Meanwhile being at the University of Warwick, I have gained good academic skills, including Maths, Materials, Mechanics, Business, Design and Electronics. This has been useful at work to give me a contextual understanding.

I have progressively enjoyed the apprentice programme, the first 2 years were the worst due to the Warwickshire college experience, however since then I have enjoyed the apprenticeship more and more.

The programme has a good structure, however the information cascade to the apprentice is not good, often important information is missed out (specifically the requirement to do NVQ/End Point Assessment), it would be good to have been given proper documentation detailing everything required during the course of the apprenticeship.

I receive funding from my employer, however I receive no study time at work, this makes it very difficult to complete University work in full in the desired time frame. So this means you get very little spare time, I have had many weekends/evenings doing fully University work, often I have 7 day weeks to get the work done.

Since the programme is structured with two separate training providers this has varied across the apprenticeship. When at Warwickshire college we received little support when working towards the qualifications. However at the University of Warwick we have received much more support, I personally have been able to easily speak to disability services and often receive responses within a quick time from lecturers.

I believe the qualification helps contextual awareness, I do not believe it greatly improves my productivity at work. However I believe it is helpful in building other skills, skills like motivation and the ability to stay focused when facing significant challenges.

There are a few opportunities to get involved with these types of events. I have personally been involved in some volunteering events, however I have not involved myself in other activities.

Yes

I believe the company benefits are good, most employees I have dealt with have been willing to help and have aided me in career progression.

Be yourself, focus on the customer first behaviours and how you have shown these behaviours in your life.