Apprentice Tool Maker Review

On a day to day basis, I am learning and developing hands on skills, such as grinding, stoning, fitting and machining. These skills are used to perform maintenance activities on press tools within the work area. One day a week I am in the college environment learning, perfroming the second and final year of my Level 3 EAL. During the week I also perform project activities in the workplace, which consists of producing a functional project that I can use in the workplace.

During the apprenticeship I have leant many new skills such as grinding and stoning, and I am using these in die maintenance activities. I am further developing existing skills from the first year of my apprenticeship, in the form of fitting and machining activities. Throughout the apprenticeship I have also learnt key problem solving and communication skills and will further keep developing existing and learning new skills.

I really enjoy the programme as I feel like I am learning and developing new skills and knowledge everyday. Also, everyone in the workplace, from the skilled workforce to the training coordinator is helpful and is always available to give assisstance and advice. The Level 3 EAL is enjoyable and beneficial as it allows further development of knowledge and can go onto a HNC.

The overall structure of the programme is very well organised as there is constant and clear communication between the apprentices and the training coordinator as well as the NVQ assesor. It is further well organised in the tool room as sufficient time is given to learn and develop all new skills.

There is a wide range of support available to the apprentices if it's needed, the apprentices have a weekly meeeting with the training coordinator, to keep on top of all work and if I feel I need extra support in certain areas, I can ask and suitable measures will be taken place. Furthermore, in the tool room environment, I know that I can ask for assistance from any skilled wokers in the area and they will give me the help I need.

My training provider, in the form of Swindon College, also gives further support if neded, in the form of extra lessons as well as possible one to one time with a lecturer to help resolve any questions or issues that I may have. I know if I needed any support with college work the lecturers at Swindon College will be more than happy to help me.

In the first year of the apprenticeship, apprentices are in college full time. The first year we perform a Level 2 EAL course as well as the first year of a Level 3 EAL course, in the Level 2 EAL course apprentices will learn the basic engineering skills that can be carried over into the work place in the second year of the apprenticeship, such as general health and safety, turning, milling and fitting. This is very beneficial to help me perform my job role better as it gives me the foundation to keep learning and developing these skills in the work place.

There are many extra-curricular activities to get involved in at work, when you first start all apprentices go to Skern Lodge to get to know eachother and help create networking oportunities with other apprentices from all BMW Group sites in the country. Every year there is also a mountain challenge, which is a team building competition which helps create social and proffesional networks while having fun.

Yes

It is a fantastic opportunity to work for such a world renowned company. I feel like I am developing both as an engineer and as a person everyday that I am working. The company also has the apprentices best interest in mind, and they really support us through our careers.

BMW Group offer work experience which is open to all, and further offer a program called 'Girls Go Technical'. These are both beneficial progrmas to get experience within the business and further help you name get known in the workplace. It's important to be patient with the application, as it takes time. Also, if you have any prior engineering experience, really express it in the application, as it shows interest.