Degree Apprentice Electrical Review

When you first start the apprenticeship you start on a working week of 37 hours. The first year consist of being full time at Warwick Trident College, completing modules, depending on the stream you picked of, math for engineers, electronic and electrical principles, materials and manufacturing, ASSET, automotive engineering and mechanical principles. You will also complete practical workshop blocks getting a full understanding of vehicles.

I have developed new skills during plant weeks at our Gaydon site. I have developed my CAD skills through practice and training on the software to create useful 2D and 3D drawings. I have also learnt new skills on threat modelling using the Microsoft threat modelling tools and ways to mitigate threats using the tool.

I have really enjoyed the apprenticeship so far, getting a real hands on feel for the vehicles and how automotive technology works in a real life environment. Rotation weeks in your home departments let you get a feel for the actual work you will be completing if you moved within that department.

The organisation and structure of the apprenticeship is well organised for the most part. However, for the future years there is some uncertainty on what modules and units we will be on offer or completing at university and college and what the timeline holds for the end of year reviews.

Although I have not had many problems on this course so far, I believe a lot of support is given, I have frequent contact with my manager and they have given me various methods of communicating with them, they have started to hold frequent 1 to 1's so that we can discuss anything that may have become a cause for concern.

It is too early to comment on this question as I am still early on into my apprenticeship hence rating this a five, however the support I have received so far has been very helpful from the education and training providers in terms of assignment and assessment help and constructive feedback.

Before starting this apprenticeship I did not know much about the automotive industry. The modules you study at college and university are tailored to your chosen stream so help you in your role to gain the fundamental knowledge of the subject matter, as the education levels increase this knowledge is expanded on.

It is to early in my apprenticeship to comment on this question as I am in full time study at college. However, after speaking to colleagues the general consensus is that there is not much social activities, but there are professional networking events. There is an opportunity for social events if you are willing to take the time yourself.

Yes

I would recommend the Jaguar Land Rover Degree Apprenticeship to friends as it is a great way to get your degree and to gain invaluable real world experience in the automotive industry which is very important for future careers in the industry., it is also great experience working for a company with access to state of the art equipment for you to train on.

Do background research on the stream you want to enter before applying. Ensure you take all opportunities to get the best results out of the company and the apprenticeship. Stay on top of work load and don't let it pile up, also adapt to change as it will benefit you as a employee in this company and industry giving you great experience.