Higher Apprentice Review

I work within New Model Programs as a Launch Engineer. Within my job I am involved in the launch phase of one the new vehicle programs. My daily tasks include ensuring timing alignments between departments to give clear communication of launch timings to the team. In addition to this activity I have worked on specific build timing with the focus on ensuring quality maturation throughout the builds. I am also responsible for maintaining the model year launch budget. I have been involved in a project to do with part improvement which has involved communications with suppliers and engineers to ensure parts are delivered on time to the required quality. I am in communication on a weekly basis with marketing departments and am responsible for ensuring that the vehicle build order will allow for the relevant departments getting their vehicles at the required time.

I am currently in the process of completing my foundation degree in engineering and am looking forward to then going onto my degree at Warwick. I have been trained internally how to use company systems and databases as well as learned engineering skills such as milling, turning, fitting and welding. My skills have grown significantly in terms of communication and team work with my confidence in the work place growing as my knowledge does.

I enjoy working on a daily basis with a supportive engaging, motivated team. The is a strong sense of pride in the products throughout the business and enjoy the challenges that vehicle launches provide. When applying for the apprenticeship I didn't really know what to expect but I have always been interested in logic and how things work so engineering seemed to fit quite well. I am very pleasantly surprised with the apprenticeship. The opportunities at work and throughout the business are vast and promising for future development. I very much enjoy going to work and getting involved in the vehicle launches. I applied for the program after going to university for a year and feeling demotivated by the continuous learning with no implementation of knowledge.

I definitely feel valued by JLR. The people and teams that I work with always show recognition and are grateful for my inputs. The department are very good at ensuring involvement in tasks as well as pushing for increased responsibilities but are also very supporting when need be.

The programme as a whole is very well structured. We were made aware of the path that the apprenticeship takes before taking the job and this has been developed throughout the programme. I have fortnightly meeting with my manager as well as quarterly meeting with my mentor. Although I am very well aware that I can contact them whenever required.

Support is always available. Although with the work on the foundation degree the level of support would be dependant on the teacher/lecturer. Despite this they do always try their best to help even though the levels of support vary.

My manager is always willing to support and encourages me to develop and question and look for ways of improvement. My mentor and I have meeting quarterly where any issues/questions are always willingly received and noted with good feedback. I also know my mentor is available to talk to if ever I have any issues between meetings.

My salary definitely covers all my living, travel, daily and social cost. Through earning and learning I have been able to save whilst earning qualifications and gaining knowledge of the business and the working world.

There are loads of opportunities outside of work. There is an employee learning scheme which funds learning activities outside work such as I had a day lesson snowboarding or there are possibilities such as learning a language or an instrument or driving lessons or pottery/jewellery making. We also get discount from gyms. In addition to these there are also regular activities planned through the company and teams such a driving experiences and the JLR activities/ walking challenge which are also great team building exercises.

Yes

I am really enjoying my time here, there are loads of opportunities and ways to develop. The pay is good and education is paid for. It allows you to take responsibility and learn many new skills.

Anyone applying to the apprenticeship should try their best to enjoy the process. Engineering is not for everybody and the best piece of advise I got was to remember that you are there to assess whether you want the job as well as trying to convince them that they want to hire you. I would let them know that there are loads of opportunities for development within the company and as a whole there is not much to fault.