Toolmaker Review

Daily my work consists of looking after the tooling known as dies that are used on site to press internal and skin panels for the Mini models and some BMW cars. This includes tool maintenance, repair and modification. The work completed incorporates many hand skills such as grinding, stoning, fitting and machining. I typically spend my day working with skilled toolmakers looking after tools in specific areas, or working to repair and modify the tooling.

I have developed and learnt many knew job specific skills that I use on a daily basis. The work involves many hand skills like grinding, stoning, filing, fitting and machining - so these are the primary skills that I have developed first in college and now in the workplace. I have enjoyed developing these skills and have seen a personal development in the work that I have conducted over the 3 years.

I am enjoying the programme within the apprenticeship and can see how the qualifications that I have completed are helping me to develop over the years. I have completed an NVQ Level 2 at College, and have now moved on to Level 3 in the Workplace, the NVQ in the workplace has been enjoyable and has relevant criteria for the work completed on a daily basis. I have also completed a EAL Level 3 in Engineering over 2 years, now moving onto the Level 4 HNC. It has been enjoyable and the personal development has been good and fun.

The programme is organised well and the communication between the college and BMW is efficient and reliable. This has resulted in a well organised and structured programme, which helps greatly with personal and academic development. I know that if I have any issues with work or don't understand something I can speak to tutors or my training coordinator for help/guidance aswell as the skilled workers.

I recieve support whenever it is required from the company, aswell as regular contact from my training coordinator and NVQ accesor. The support is efficient and helpful, which in turn means that I can develop and complete work to the best or my capabilities. Aswell as this the skilled workers on the shop floor are helpful and if I need any help I know that I can ask anyone and they will be willing to help/guide me.

I have weekly meetings with my work placed accesor and regular contact with my training coordinator. This helps me keep on top of work and ensures that I get work in on time and to the best quality possible. In terms of college work I have regular contact with my tutors who are always willing to help and guide me if I need guidance. This helps me to ensure that I am completing work to the best quality capabilities.

The qualifications that I have completed and am completing currently are helping me everyday in the work that I am conducting on site. The NVQ work is relevant and the criteria is mostly naturally occuring throughout my daily work. The Level 4 HNC I am working on has many units that are relevant to the work I am conducting and thus help me to perform at my best in my role on a daily basis.

Throughout my time with BMW Group I have taken part in many extra-curricular activities that have helped boost teamwork and group development. Before the start of the apprenticeship a visit to Skern Lodge, an outside adventure centre, provides a chance to meet all other apprentices in your year, aswell as all apprentices from the other sites around the UK. This helps to build social connections and a chance to meet before the official start of the apprenticeship. I have also taken part in the Mountain Challenge, completed every year, with a team from my year group - again this is fun and builds a network personally and professionally.

Yes

I enjoy working for BMW Group because the work helps me develop my knowledge and skills on a daily basis. The company look after me and always have the best interest of all of the apprentices. I feel well supported and have the chance to continue with further eductaion and development, as well as on site training. I would therefore recommend the apprenticeship to anyone with a keen interest in engineering.

The first piece of advice that I would have is to be yourself throughout the application and try to answer any questions well and professionally. I would also say that any work experience is beneficial and helps give an insight to the work that is completed on site, this is helpful for answering questions and talking about why you want to apply.