Engineering Technician Apprentice Review

We spend four days a week on site working in different placements. The work we do depends on the placements; this can range from helping with tool maintenance schedules to the distribution of parts into the larger BMW Group network. One day a week spend at college working towards our level 6 qualification.

At work I've learned a lot about working in teams. I've also come to appreciate the cooperation that exists across different departments and the values of networking. My computer skills and drastically improved since I started my apprenticeship and I've also learned how to act and behave in a professional environment.

I like that apprentices are seen as an investment; it's in the business' best interests to see us succeed and so they make sure that we get to experience a wide variety of different roles. I feel that this is a great way to ensure that young people can be confident that they can commit to the right career path.

The course program is consistent. Everyone knows where they're headed and what the steps are to get there. I feel that the business has worked particularly hard during the pandemic to help make sure all its apprentices can continue their work with as little obstruction and difficulty as possible.

We have regular meetings with out training manager who makes sure that we aren't having any problems with both the vocational and academic elements of the apprenticeship. This works well as we have one person who we can talk to about any issues we're facing with the course.

We meet regularly with our training advisor who makes an effort to see if we are on top of our work and if there is anything we are struggling with academically and vocationally. They will also feedback to the college and placement managers to ensure that our experience is suited to us.

The course we take is modular and the modules that have been selected for us are tailored to the work we do on site. This means that our qualification is relevant to the work we do and that the things we learn on the course are of use to us when we finish.

There are extra-curricular activities held by the local and UK apprenticeship team. We get to compete with other sites across the UK in the Mountain Challenge - an orienteering challenge, as well as the Skern Lodge residential course at the start of the apprenticeship. There are also more regular occasions such as charity and fundraising events.

Yes

The course is tailored to the apprentice. The training team actively look for different work placements across the business - which isn't limited to UK sites only - to make sure that you have experienced a wide enough variety of different possibilities to help you know what it is you want to do with your career.

The business sees apprentices as an investment. The course is set up to help you see what you're good at to ensure that when you come out of the apprenticeship you're seen as a valuable asset. Make it very clear to them that you are worth this investment!