Apprentice Review

Assembly quality management apprentice. Daily tasks include quality landscape reports, creating checking procedures to capture quality issues, and various tasks supporting areas of the assembly line. A general overy of the role: supporting the department in problem solving and quality steering tasks throughout the assembly technology. Other tasks include one off data analysis tasks, and creation of new reports or formats for presenting data.

New skills learnt: problem solving, data handling/analysis, root cause analysis, use of proprietary software and systems, managing and structuring a team, working in professional environment, Existing skills developed: use of CAD, working as part of a team, communication,

Overall the programme has been a very enjoyable experience. I have had the opportunity to work in different departments and roles, and with a wide variety of people across the business. I have been given the freedom to work independently on tasks, and given the chance to steer my own progression.

The organisation and structure of the programme has varied, and has been lacking at some points. One key issue I have personally experienced are a breakdown of communication between my education provider and employer, leading to confusion about term dates and projects. Overall, the issues have not negatively impacted my experience, but there is room for improvement.

In terms of support from my employer, I have never felt like the level of support has been lacking. Internally withing my department there has been regular one-to-one development from management, and planning of the programme. However, I fell that this development planning could be better standardised across the business to improve.

Support from the training provider has been an issue throughout the programme. Communication between myself and the training provider has at times been difficult, and the flow of information on the course has been lacking at multiple times. In terms of direct support for the education program, this has at times been nearly nonexistent.

The qualification through the training provider, and the content covered in the course is not always applicable or beneficial to the role. However, parts of the content have helped me to better perform my role, and there has been some crossover topics. Overall, I feel that more effort could be put in to try and relate the educational content to my job role.

There are and have been plenty of opportunities for social activities, and there is an unofficial role within the department to organise these activities. These events outside of work have happened with the entire department, have been a good opportunity to get to know colleagues and the team as a whole.

Yes

The BMW group has been a very positive experience as an apprentice. The opportunities to develop and spend time in a wide variety of departments across a diverse business is incredibly beneficial when starting a professional career. Additionally, the BMW group as an employer have been very fair in terms of pay, holiday and benefits.

My advice for anyone applying to the BMW group would be: aim to make yourself stand out from the other applicants, in the interview try and be relaxed and personable, try and have multiple examples of working in a team and as an individual as well as how these have developed you.