Apprentice Control Engineer Review

Currently my role involves gaining the knowledge and skills required to complete my apprenticeship. I am progressing my hand skills for assembling different types of systems, such as electrical or mechanical. This involves studying engineering drawings and constructing the systems from these drawings. My future role will use all of the skills gained to maintain all manufacturing systems.

I have learnt a wide array of new skills, these skills include general hand skills such as filing and assembling components. But I have also gained more specific skills such as manual arc welding, and skills required to use specialist machinery such as milling machines and lathes. I have also learnt how to understand engineering drawings, this includes understanding the component symbols.

I enjoy the programme a lot, all of the skills and knowledge I have learnt so far have been fun and enjoyable to learn, but also challenging at the same time, this has made it more rewarding to see how I have progressed. I also enjoy the program because of the individuals I have been able to meet and work with.

The programme is well organized and structured, as I have progressed through the course there has been a clear roadmap of all parts. I am able to see when I will be moving from one area to the next, this allows me to anticipate what other skills I will be learning.

I receive a lot of support from my employer. I have a performance review every 3 months where I communicate with my employer, this gives me the opportunity to highlight any concerns I have, but also I can speak about how well the programme is going and how much I am enjoying it.

I receive a lot of support from the training adviser, all tutors are useful and happy to help with any questions I have about the qualifications. If I am stuck on an assignment I can ask the tutor to give me more guidance about the topic to help further my understanding.

The qualification provided helps give me theoretical knowledge of all the working systems I may encounter, the qualification also helps to give me skills to maintain and fix these systems. Not only does the course help with the job specifics, it also helps me to understand how a company is run, including the processes for improvement within the workplace.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the surrounding government guidelines all extra curricular activities have been placed on hold in order to protect the safety of all individuals. Outside of the pandemic there are multiple different opportunities available, be it networking events with others within the company, or recreational opportunities such as playing in a football team.

Yes

I would recommend working for the BMW group to a friend because it is an upstanding company that produces quality cars and does everything to reduce the negative impact on the planet. There are also lots of opportunities within the BMW group if you want to progress and learn new skills, or if you want to try out a different role whilst still being part of the BMW group.

The tips I would give include working hard, this can involve working hard to get the grades required to join or showing enthusiasm to get some work experience that you can take with you into the interview. You need to show that you are passionate about the work that you do and that you are willing to work as part of a team in order to achieve goals.