Tool maker Review

Within BMW Group I am a Tool Maker. This role includes completing maintenance work on the tools that create the panels for Mini Coopers. Jobs can vary daily from cleaning and perform a sort of MOT on the tool, to repairing broken steels via welding and grinding. A number of different skills are used daily.

Everyday I develop new skills from which i have learnt through the business. As an example back when i first started out i learnt the skill of grinding metal work to create the correct finish and angles. Where a grinding task needs to be done i can constantly develop and improve on my technique and skill.

The work i do is enjoyable as there is a large range of tasks to undertake. As well as this i enjoy challenging myself into finding the cause of some of the faults that we encounter and to see if there is anyway for which i can make it better for the business.

The structure of the apprenticeship program is pretty clear, we know what stages we are taking in our learning and we know what we have left to do, such as further qualifications etc. However with it being a multi-national company plans and structures change all the time and sometimes things don't go as originally planned.

If i am in need of any additional support from asking for help on a task or needing extra tuition in areas such as maths, i know that i can receive it. BMW always try to push you to be your absolute best and can provide any help that is required.

Help can vary depending on what is being asked . If the task requires you to do something individually to show your skills then the business will expect you to do this alone, however they can provide help with other examples to get you to the end goal because they don't want you to fail, they're not there to make you fail.

With my role as a tool maker, the qualifications I have completed and are currently undertaking weren't always tool maker orientated. Mostly it focused on general maintenance with work on PLCs for example which i have zero interaction with. However pieces from my qualifications every now and again do come up in my work.

BMW encourage their apprentices to partake in a mountain challenge which helps to develop team work and adventure seeking. It is a weekend event once a year around the country to complete a scavenger hunt around the best landscapes and to do it with your colleagues. It is a great experience.

Yes

It is a great opportunity to develop yourself as a person as well as learning new skills where some can be transferred into your day to day life. Knowing what i know now in comparison to when i first started feels like a great achievement and it would be nice for others to share that.

To be yourself, show off who you are. There is no point getting anyone else to do your application for you as the company are only interested in you, and who you are as a person. Having a good attitude is a major factor that BMW look for in their new intake of apprentices.