Product Design & Development Engineer Review

The job role is varied depending on the business need. On a day to day basis, we work on live projects with other apprentices as well as established engineers within the company. This may be designing tests, benchmarking other OEMs or deep dive engineering on warranty work to give a few examples. The work is varied and interesting. There is huge opportunity to work with other departments and with external suppliers.

The foundational year of the apprenticeship was designed to give us an appreciation of engineering. So while we won't be using these skills in our job role, we learnt how to mill, turn, weld and strip and build an engine. When we transitioned to work full time, we had an accelerated programme of learning which was an intensive 7 week programme which taught us all of the manufacturing knowledge and CAD skills to be able to solve real world engineering problems and design viable components for use on the vehicle. This programme included a workshop from a subject matter expert in the company, a supplier visit to see manufacturing processes in action, a CAD workshop and reflective time to take in the learnings from the week. The programme also introduced us to new CAE software which we can use as we move around the company.

I really enjoy the programme. As it is quite a large scheme with a huge number of apprentices, there is a strong community across the company. This is really useful as it makes the transition from school to the apprenticeship much easier as there are lots of people who have gone through the process prior to you. The work is varied and enjoyable which makes the college/uni side seem like a drag as I would rather be at work, working on real projects that have a real impact on the business.

From the business side, my department has been especially good at organising the apprenticeship. This varies from department to department across the business. At work, there is a defined programme and structure we follow and all of the support we need is provided. The college side is less organised as communication between the college and work can be a bit difficult at times.

We have all of the support we need from our employer. We have a network of older apprentices which are able to help if needed. We have work based learning managers who we can contact if we have issues with the training provider. We have a line manager as well as a mentor who help us in out work projects. We also have a dedicated apprenticeship manager who organises our training and schedule.

At college, the support is there if we need it. The quality of the lessons is not good and does not reflect the quality of the apprenticeship when compared to the work side of it. We are set assignments but the content of the lectures is not reflective of the assignments being set. However, we do have after hours catch up sessions for maths if we need it. This is useful because the quality of maths lectures is not good.

I have not used any knowledge or skills from college at work. I learn much more on the job than at college which I use in my job role. College has give me a basic understanding and an appreciation of manufacturing, however, we have covered this in much more detail at work.

The apprentice forum set up extra curricular events, but as I work long hours, there isn't much time to take advantage of this. Also, the company is very large and spread over multiple sites, meaning the events are not necessarily possible to attend. The basis of it is in place, but I think the apprenticeship experience would benefit from a more centralised and expanded apprentice forum to set these extra curricular events up.

Yes

The job role is extremely interesting and varied. The pay and benefits are extremely generous. The people you work with are all very helpful and there is a huge network of apprentices that makes it feel that I am not missing out too much on the 'uni lifestyle' by doing an apprenticeship.

Look at the customer first principles as it underpins everything the business does. Show a willingness to learn, do work experience placements, compete in STEM competitions. Academic performance is not as important as your experience so have proof that you are a suitable candidate for an engineering apprenticeship. Before you apply, be aware that the course is not easy and will require long hours and hard work. But, the rewards and opportunities are huge.