Quality Engineering Technition Review

Quality Engineering Technician Degree Apprenticeship - Hams Hall Currently undertaking practical training in the first year which is helping towards a certificate in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering. Practical training includes hand-skills, machining, fluid power, electronics, control system and robotics. After first year, second year will involve being put in placement at BMW Hams Hall to experience different areas of quality.

New skills that I have learnt during the practical training in first year are: Fluid power - learning about both pneumatic and hydraulic systems, how they function and how to design and build systems. Control systems - exposed to PLC (programmable logic control) for the first time, taught what they were and how they are used in the workplace. Am now able to design and build a fully functioning system to meet specification.

I have enjoyed the programme very much, I have been taught many new practical skills as well being much more confident in my self. I am able to deliver my ideas to other associates and managers much more easily then when I first started. I am very much looking forward to second year where I will be put into placement and experience engineering in the BMW workplace.

The programme is well structured, earlier in the year we completed Unit 4 of our portfolio, Business Improvement. This meant going to BMW Hams Hall for two weeks to experience the workplace and how it functions. We was introduced to methods of business improvement and how it can be used. These two weeks were well organised and structured and all timings were stuck too and all deadlines were met.

As an apprentice I receive a large amount of support. There are many people that can be spoke to if any problems or questions arise, we are able to talk to our Apprenticeship manager as well as apprentices in higher years. Recently all apprentices have been assigned with a mentor, this mentor is there to support each employee with any issues they have. Mentors are managers so they have many years of experience and have people they are able to contact if unsure on a problem.

If any issues we are able to talk to our course leader, they will then be able to sort out any issues and support us when needed. If an issue arises that they are unable to solve, they are able to guide us in what to do and who to contact if needed.

The training provider provides us with the practical training. This practical training helps us to understand the basics before we begin to learn the more advanced. By learning the basics it helps to ensure we fully understand each topic, meaning when we finally finish the apprenticeship we have a full understanding and have an understanding when entering the workplace.

At collage, I currently take part in a welding course outside of work hours. Before BMW I was interesting in welding but the welding course has enable me to learn new types of welding such as ARC and TIG, along with MIG. I have learnt how to weld different materials to steel like aluminium.

Yes

Yes. I am enjoying the apprenticeship very much. I have learnt many new skills and I am gaining an understanding on the automotive industry. As well as this there are many perks to the job such as a company car scheme. BMW is a fantastic employer, who are very supportive and help to challenge and improve my skills.

- have an interest in automotive engineering. -have a basic understanding of the BMW group (e.g know what Hams Hall manufacturers etc.) -be prepared for the interview, be confident but not too confident. -revise for the psychometric tests (there is a book I purchased that gave me practise questions which really helped me). -