Degree Apprentice - Powertrain Review

I do hands-on work with a variety of equipment and tools to do projects and perform maintenance. Projects might include designing and/or rolling out a new piece of equipment or system. I do mechanical, electrical and software based work, meaning that every day is different. I deal with colleagues in my own and other departments face to face, by phone and email and liaise with suppliers and contractors outside the company.

I learned a lot of new skills in the first year at college and in plant and I learn and develop more all the time. Examples of the skills we learned in college are milling, turning, fitting (filing), using hand tools and power tools, making and using electrical circuits and fault diagnosis on vehicles, which included working on the cars themselves. We also learned essay and presentation skills in the academic blocks.

Daily work is interesting and I do something different every day. I am kept busy which means no periods of boredom. I like my team and the atmosphere in the department and I get on well with everyone there. I am very satisfied with my apprenticeship so far and I would recommend it.

The first year in college we had 3 week blocks, some academic and some practical. The workshop blocks were generally well-organised although sometimes we finished the work long before the end of the block. The classroom blocks had some problems with timetabling and staffing. Since coming into plant my experience has been good.

I have always found the atmosphere supportive. I have a work-based learning manager, line manager, mentor, and an engineer to shadow daily. I would go to my paired engineer or mentor for most small day-to-day issues and my line manager or WBLM for anything larger. We also now have a representative from the JLR learning academy who seems to be on our side as apprentices. I would be happy to go to any of these people for different problems.

Most of the teaching is adequate or good and there are optional support sessions available for certain modules. When writing assignments we draw almost entirely on our own research, using very little of what we have learned in class, although sometimes things learned in class have been relevant in plant.

The NVQ skills we learned in first year have been relevant to my job role because I have a hands-on job where I have used some of the things I didn't know before last year. The foundation degree has contained some theory which has been applicable although the time management, essay and presentation skills from it have been more useful overall.

Some departments organise their own informal social events outside of work, including sports and activities. Employees can take 2 work days per year to work on approved volunteering projects. The Employee Learning Scheme gives employees an amount of money per year to put towards a learning activity of their choice, including DIY, sports, driving and academic qualifications.

Yes

I feel that the company cares about its employees and has a good attitude towards the importance of apprentices. There are various benefits available and the pay is good. Apprentices get 6-monthly pay rises subject to good behaviour and results. Apprentices get their qualifications paid for by the company so degree apprentices get their degree debt-free while building up years of experience in the workplace.

Research the future goals of the company as well as its history to see if you are a good fit and to be able to prove it in an interview if so. Be prepared to work hard academically and have an interest in the practical and theoretical sides of engineering. Show confidence in your interview. Think of ways you have demonstrated the kind of skills and qualities JLR are looking for so you can talk about them.