Laboratory Technician Apprentice Review

Currently I am in my second year as a JLR Apprentice so I am mainly based at my workplace (Engine Manufacturing Center.) I work in the Materials Laboratory as a Quality Apprentice. I can be asked to do many things from working on investigation reports such as root cause analysis to general day-to-day tasks such as particle analysis of components or hardness testing of different components, primarily crank shafts.

I have learned how to use different equipment such as different microscopes. Scanning Electron Microscopes, which is a high magnification device that allows you to determine the different chemical elements of a given sample. I have also learned how to use an Fourier Transform Infra-red machine, which can determine the properties of an unknown liquid or non-metal substance against a database of samples.

I really enjoy my time onsite at the EMC where I get to further my skills and knowledge for what my job role will be when I complete my apprenticeship. There are a lot of issues with the training provider however (EEF/MAKE UK), the BTEC I am currently working towards is not a Quality BTEC, it's a Maintenance one, which is disorganisation on the training providers side and nothing to do with JLR.

The programme at the training provider is very disorganised. The structure and units studied are fine but it is the center itself that has the problem. A lot of staff not knowing how certain things are to be done, as well as a severe lack of staff in a lot of cases. To the point where my group and I haven't had a tutor for some classes as there has been no one to teach us.

JLR offer as much support as they can give. In my experience I have always had support whenever I have needed it, whether that comes from my manager onsite at EMC, who helps me a lot with my BTEC assignments and with all practical elements of my work or my company liason officers at the training provider, who have helped me hugely with personal issues that have arisen for me over the time I've been on the apprenticeship.

The staff at EEF/MAKE UK do the best they can with the limited staff they have. A lot of what they do needs more organisation as my group and I have been messed around a lot by them. To a certain extent however it cannot be helped and they always do what they can if ever we need extra support with BTEC work.

It doesn't. As previously stated, the qualification I am gaining at the training provider is for a job I am not going to be doing. When I start my NVQ in my third year, that will be Quality based so that will be when I start to have a qualification relevant to my job role. I am the first Quality Advanced Apprentice that has been employed at the EMC, so at the time of my starting, EEF/MAKE UK did not provide the appropriate BTEC course. They do now however.

There are some events that apprentices can get involved in such as career days and open events at school to encourage young people to do an apprenticeship in engineering and with JLR. I have had some great opportunities to do this myself and it all counts in your favour with apprentice managers etc to get involved in these events.

Yes

I believe it is a great place to begin a career in engineering. In just over a year and a half I have gained a lot of knowledge and so many new skills. My managers at JLR have an active interest in helping me to be the best I can be through my course and in my future job role.

It doesn't matter if you know nothing about engineering or if you know nothing about the automotive industry as a whole. When I applied I didn't know a thing. You don't get chosen for this apprenticeship based on previous experience or knowledge, it is based on who you are as a person. Your behaviours, integrity, willingness to learn and active interest in the industry will make all the difference to your application.