Engineering Technician Review

I am completing a degree as I work. I have two days out of work every week to work on my degree, physically attending the university one day a week. On the days I am working, I work on the MINI Plant Oxford factory in one of the quality departments. The department I work in is responsible for test driving pre-release vehicles and identifying potential quality issues before the car start production.

I am lucky enough to have been exposed to two different styles of learning, both of which have been extremely effective. The first is at university, which I have enjoyed and learned a lot about Manufacturing Engineering. The second type of learning is what I have done on site, learning about BMW's processes and how to work in a team. I have also learned a lot about cars in my experiences.

The days both at uni and at work fly by, because I am thoroughly enjoying my program, both at Uni and in work. I enjoy my job working with cars and identifying potential quality issues, and problem solving to ensure we can minimize the risk of it occurring in the future. I thoroughly enjoy my program.

An apprentice management team oversees my entire apprenticeship experience, from being hired into the company through to being hired in full-time employment after the apprenticeship. They communicate well with the managers of the department I will be hired into and have ensured that I have had experiences in as many other relevant departments as possible.

A significant number of people now in full time employment at BMW were once apprentices, meaning there is a great understanding of what it is like and what is involved. Everyone being aware of what it's like to be an apprentice makes it a very pleasant experience being an apprentice, as everyone is happy to help out with whatever is needed.

My training provider is Birmingham City University, and the lecturers there are always happy to help. They have made it very clear that they are always reachable, and they are extremely helpful when we do reach out to them for any help. They have all been very supportive towards us completing our degrees, and have a special appreciation for us as we are also working full time, as well as completing the course.

I am following an official apprenticeship program, which requires a set of knowledge and experience. The degree I am completing sets me up very well to prove I have the set of knowledge required to prove I have passed the apprenticeship standard. All other knowledge I am required for my role is taught to me by the employees currently working that job.

There are lots of networking events available for the apprentices. Additional teams and groups are working at the moment, such as an apprentice newsletter team. These additional teams can give extra practice working in and managing a team. Outside of work, there are charity events and meet-ups organised. The apprenticeship cohort becomes a tight-nit bunch who are generally always happy to see each other outside of work.

Yes

You could go to university full time and pay to graduate a course along with thousands of other students in the country, or you could do this apprenticeship with a world class manufacturer, while being paid and getting the same degree you would have gotten anyway, all to be essentially guaranteed a future job and career path.

There is no need to worry, the hiring managers are all very experienced and appreciate the process can be nerve-wracking. However, all you need to do is show your enthusiastic and passionate about the course you are applying for, which will stand by you in the application process. An employer can teach you everything you need to know to do a job, but they cannot teach you to be happy to show up to work each day!