Craft Manufacturing Review

I am currently training at the college where I am learning how to use lathes, milling machines and also how to maintain them. I’m also learning about electronics, for example how to wire up a PLC rig to how to wire up a ring main in an electrical circuit. One day a week I do the BTEC, this consists of lessons such as maths for engineers, mechanical principles and electrical principals.

Yes, I have learnt a lot in my apprenticeship so far. I started the apprenticeship with very little knowledge in the engineering environment, after the training I have received, I know feel very confident when it comes to operating machinery and maintaining it and also in the theory side of the engineering.

I really enjoy my apprenticeship. The main reason I chose to do an apprenticeship is because I enjoy being practical and working hands on with things. This is exactly what this apprenticeship offers me. 4 days a week in the workshop doing practical activities - lathes, mills, plc’s - electrics etc, and the last day is the theory, however it is enjoyable as it links into the practical work.

The apprenticeship I am on at the moment is structured well, all of the lessons are well planned, and well organised. All of the lessons link into eachother, such as if we are doing electrics and electronic principles, we learn the theory side of what we working on in electrical work.

As a BMW apprentice, I receive a lot of support. I have regular meetings with my manager and discuss the work I am doing, and if I am on track and finding it okay. There are also pay reviews every 6 months, if we have performed well and are on target, there is the chance we can receive a pay rise

I receive lots of support for the training provider. if there is a topic i do not understand, i can find the provider or a tutor and ask for extra support in whatever it is, they will then help me with the work until i understand it or they will contact other tutors who can help me instead.

The qualification i am doing at the moment is really helping me in my role as a maintenance engineer. all of the work i am doing is very relatable to area and skills i will be working in/ using. the structure of the apprenticeship is designed to make you perform as well as possible

there are various sport teams in which you can join, there is a gym on site in which you can use aswell. due to it being a german company, you can receive german lessons, these will help you progress through the company as you can then go onto working in plants outside of the uk

Yes

because the experience i have had so far has being really good, i have felt very comfortable. the perks of the job are also really good and an incentive to work harder and push yourself through out the apprenticeship and further through out the company. there is lots of opportunities available

research the company before hand, make sure it is what you actually want to be doing before you apply. research into the apprenticeship and research all of the things you will be doing within the apprenticeship, such as PLC’s, if you do not already know, as the more background knowledge you have the better