Maintenance Technician Review

My role at the BMW Group is that of a Maintenance Technician in the machining hall at the Hams Hall engine manufacturing plant. Day to day i cover one of the machining hall areas carrying out preventative and reactive maintenance work as well as developement projects and general machine maintenance tasks. I cover a specific area and work along side a team of technicians who all work in the area with different specialist skill sets.

I have learnt many new skills all to do with engineering techniques and practices. Everything from learning the basics of CNC maching process to robot programming, standard and safe working practices and general maintenace techniques. I have also developed my poeple and communications skills, fault finding techniques, personal learning skills, computer and data management skills and i have gained a lot of confidence in my own abilities.

I have very much enjoyed the programme so far as it has been a huge step for me in my career and my personal development both professionally and in casual situations. I have met good friends during the programme and enjoyed learning along side the other apprentices and helping one another out where we can. Every aspect of the programme has brought new challenges and opportunities that have been enjoyable to face and solve over the course of my training

Genrally my apprenticeship has been well organised and the learning stages have been structure very well to help everyone progress and achieve the criteria. As a continuously developing buisness and workplace the structure and organisation does occastionally take time to finalise and put in to place but this has not caused any real problems for myself during the learning and development stages of the programme.

My employer, the BMW Group, has done everyhting possible to support me during my apprenticeship so far. From providng training support, learning support, development plans and personal reviews at regular stages i feel like i can count on the company to help me reach my own goals and support me both professionally and personally.

The training provider provides a lot of support for us during the first year while we are full time at college and does their best to maintain that support during the day release training we recieve in the later years of the programme. The support does tend to suffer a little when we are not full time at the James Watt campus and this is where the company steps in to aid us more than the training provider. This is mainly due to us not being on site where their tutors are based so its easier to get support on site at the company especially as the college has normal enrolled students to care for as well.

The qualifiactions i have and will of recieved from the training provider will help me to understand the reason behind processes that are carried out at work and the technical understanding behind maintenance activities and similar tasks. Particular qualifications such as the NVQ in maintenace is helping me to look further in to the reason i am performing different types of maintance and the proper professional ways in which to safely carry out the job and record the information.

The company runs lots of social activities for exercise purposes and general social gatherings. There is an on site Gym for all the employees to use, football clubs, walking clubs and lots of the employees organise gatherings for christmas and other holiday events which everyone is welcome to join. The compnay also runs networking events for the apprentices to meet the other plants managers and higher ups in the BMW Group.

Yes

Mostly because of how much i am enjoying my work and i actually feel like i am a valuable part of the buisness. Also I have learned a lot during my time at BMW and not just professionally. I have already achieved level 3 BTEC in engineering but i am currently working towards level 3 NVQ and a Level 4 HNC which i never would of thought i could achieve if it wasn't for the support and guidance i have recieved from the company and the apprenticeship programme. Also i have developed as a person and become much more confident and skilled in general.

Present yourself well and comminacte clearly! I have found that the best way to impress is to be confident and listen well to others and respond in a clear manner. It does not always have to be completely professional and by the book but it is good to maintain a civilised manner when speaking to others and working.