Control Engineer Apprentice Review

I am currently working towards a foundation degree in Electrical Engineering alongside developing practical skills in the workshop. The foundation degree is a Level 4 qualification including Maths, PLCs, Programming and Analogue ad Digital Circuits. In the workshop we learn new skills such as Welding and Machining, alongside being in an environment that requires knowledge of H&S and VPS which we get involved in.

I have developed my Maths skills from Level 3 and learnt new skills such as Programming and PLCs. The skills I've learnt in the workshop are almost all new, from Welding and Machining to Electrical testing and building Electronic circuits. There has also been a crossover between the workshop skills and degree skills which helps to cement the information.

Very much so, there is a pleasing variety between my days in the workshop learning machining and other practical skills, to being in a classroom and developing my maths and academic skills. I found it very easy to transfer my skills from college into my apprenticeship which helped me settle in and start learning more quickly.

There is a clear structure to the degree, with modules clearly laid out and the set up of each one clearly explained. However, the structure of the time in the workshop is less defined as we are not earning a proper qualification so the learning can be changed to suit what we feel is fit and is not defined by having certain assessments and tests.

My employer assists wherever they can to provide the right environment to work in for my qualifications. They make every effort to allow time for and prioritize my learning. They also provide specialist training to ensure I am ready for the placements in the various departments of the workplace throughout my course.

There is a good level of support from the academic tutors on the Degree side of the course. Where necessary, I feel I can ask for support and receive helpful, personal advice. I also feel that I am valued as a person, as the tutors regularly come back to me for updates on work I previously struggled with.

I feel that lots of the information that I have learnt will be very useful in the varied work environment in my workplace. I will be a much more rounded and applicable individual when I am working on the factory floor. Lots of the information from the Electronics module has already helped me in the Foundation degree work, which links to my job role and will inevitably be helpful in the future. The PLC module of the Foundation Degree also links closely to my placements and eventual job role.

There are frequent charity events (such as football tournaments) that we can either participate in or help to organize. There are also job related activities (such as PLC World Skills) that we can do alongside our learning which both boosts our knowledge and uses it in a more accurate application.

Yes

The apprenticeship is well run and well recognised. Everything we learn has a real world benefit and will be useful in our future careers. I feel that BMW group respects apprentices as full employees and that our role comes with all the benefits of a proper role within the Group.

BMW Group respects apprentices as people and want to employ the best individuals rather than the most academically proficient. Make sure that your best qualities are shown throughout the application process and continue to show these when you start. Applying online doesn't always allow your best qualities to show through so use the in-person stages to show these off to the full.