Toolmaker apprentice Review

Item: Toolmaker apprentice at BMW Group UK
Rating: 4.4
Author: Anonymous

at BMW Group UK

Level 3 Apprenticeship

Engineering

Swindon, Wiltshire

Review Submitted: April 2021

Overall Rating

4.4 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

4.5/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

4/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

4/5

As I'm a first year apprentice currently I am working full time at college to ensure I can collect all of the correct knowledge required and needed to make sure I can work safely and correctly in the workplace at all times. During this we will do projects where we can make sure we can learn and develop the required skills which we can use in the workplace. However after the first year is finished and we complete the gate way, the next year will involve placements in the workplace where we can get a better idea of what the working in the workplace will be like.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

5/5

I couldn't be happier. I'm doing a job which I enjoy and learn from everyday. These skills I develop in college will then be able to use for the rest of my life. This is a practical course which enables you to learn all of the skills required on the job throughout.
I feel supported in a team and can ask my collogues who are on the course with me or second or third years which I see once a week each can also give input to help as they have done the course already. Everyone adds there own input which makes me enjoy the program that much more.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

You learn new skills everyday at college. This can be anything from electrical work where you can learn how to wire circuits and electrical lighting. To learning how to use milling and turning machines. While also being able to learn the correct techniques which will be used for as long as i work in industry.
However with the opportunity to be able to work with many other colleagues in college, this can allow you to develop better communication and more determination to improve all the time.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

4/5

Considering this has been a year with many struggles due to covid 19, which has disturbed the course. The program has gone well. BMW have been very organised and helpful in making decisions ensuring to give us fair warning which we have know what is happening.
Although at times the college hasn't been able to be as organised as BMW. This meaning there has been times in the year where we have needed to wait for more information on lessons or other knowledge.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

5/5

Throughout the first 6 months of my apprenticeship I have been supported thoroughly. Every Thursday we have meetings with our apprenticeship manager which we can relay any questions or quires we have. Any problems we have they listen and give us any support which we need. Or ask for changes which we think are needed to give a better education and support network.
They also provide pensions which although I didn't think I would be applying for already, this will support me when I am older. However you don't see this money, so you get use to it quickly not being there. You can also go on the car scheme which considering you get a new car every time is quite affordable and I will be getting a new one every 6 months.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

3/5

I feel like we have been provided with an excess of information towards the current course which we are doing, this meaning we have more than enough information needed for the course to be completed. However this could provide useful further down the line when we are in the company as we may need the information in the future.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

4/5

Through the qualifications which have been given through college, we can use these to ensure we are safe and have a good understanding of the equipment which we are using throughout the time we will be in the workplace for. Although I haven't finished the course yet, I already feel that I have more knowledge about being a toolmaker in the future.

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

4/5

Skern lodge was the social activity which we did to get to know the group which we will be with but also other colleagues from oxford which is another location of where BMW are based for making cars. Although this would of been a lot better if we were able to complete it properly, but unfortunately due to covid 19 we couldn't do it properly. But the experience we still had was still good.
Mountain challenge is a challenge which you can do it in groups, where you use maps and hike and camp. This took a couple of days to do and helped get to know better.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend BMW Group UK to a friend?

Yes

Why?

They are a good and successful business which are able to help support and allow you to strive forwards as much as possible. They provide you with all the information you can need to develop your practical and communication skills. While ensuring you have a future. This is because as they are choosing you to hire they already know what role you will be needed for once you have finished. So as long as you are hard working and work well. There will be a future for you here.

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BMW Group UK?

The first thing I would of liked to of know when I was applying is the process takes a long time. I kept thinking I had been forgotten about and hadn't done the interview well enough. The whole process took 6 months to complete from applying to being confirmed that I got the job.
Before the interview I was stressed and worried that I would do it wrong or say the wrong thing. However as soon as I started I felt much better as it was going and went well. So I would make sure to not worry about it. As well as use past experience which I have from other past interviews which I was unsuccessful. I wish I used them more to my benefit rather than worrying whenever I didn't get in to a apprenticeship.

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