Mechatronics apprentice Review

The course I am doing is an advanced engineering apprenticeship at Swindon college through BMW Swindon. I'm a mature student who attends Swindon college on a thursday and the rest of the week i attend my work place completing an NVQ in the workplace and completing jobs to complte my apprenticship

Like the previous question above I’ve learnt new skills while attending college like using the Mill in the workshop or using the lathe in the workshop too. Doing electronics in college is a new skill that I use which has always been an interest of mine so I’ve enjoyed that in particular even though I’ve found it fairly difficult. But enjoyable all the same.

This particular program I am on is enjoyable to me and exciting as being a mature student i am relishing the opportunity I’ve been given by my company to be able to get paid as well as studying which i am getting paid to do too. This extent is good because i can still live the life i have (paying my mortgage) as well as learning which is very nice to do.

Well i have been working for the company for about 21 years. Fifteen of which have been employed by the company. The five before i was employed by an agency in oxford. I feel very valued by my company. more of which now due to the fact they have given me this opportunity of the mature apprenticeship.

My employer has always been helpful throughout the time I have been employed with them. I get good updates from my employer about the company because when I’m at college I don't get to see what’s going on in the business. My manager will provide team briefs which are helpful and she’s always on hand if I need her.

So my training provider is basically my college supporter i get in college. Her name is Lisa and i belive i have been given really good support from her thoughout my course. Her door is always open so i am able to speak to her whenever i need too. Shes really helpful and i feel lucky to have such good support with her.

I feel sometimes the college aspect of it can be taught but at the moment some of it i've not used much in my workplace so i do feel maybe the qualification can be changed slightly to suit my particular role but at the moment time will tell if this would be so.

At the moment like last year we have been entered in to mountain challange which because i enjoyed so much last year i wanted to do it again so i'm looking forward to completing that in the summer months with lots of other apprentices. other social events are often organised but friends

Yes

The reasons I would recommend my company to others and friends are all of the above things I have mentioned. They are a great company to work for and they really give the opportunity to the staff to help better themselves as well as making it fun in the mean time.

If anyone I know would want to apply to BMW group or anyone that asks me about applying to the company I would deffinatley give them a few tips about studying maths or knowing it before as I feel even though the support is given there is quite a lots of maths involved in the course.