Level 6 Advanced Professional Engineering Programme (APEP) Degree Apprentice Review
at JLR
Degree Apprenticeship
Automotive Engineering
Coventry
Review Submitted: May 2024
Overall Rating
4.1 /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
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Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3.6/5
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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
Depends on my placement - and you have a say in where you're sent. You always have a "home team" though, to which you return if you aren't on a placement. Where that is and what you do widely varies, but the atmosphere is always nice, and in the departments I've been, you're not treated just as other staff, but given more support.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
It's pretty good! So far, I've worked at the facilities in Gaydon and Whitley. Gaydon is techy, blingy and big - easier to socialise there with all sorts of events going on in the ultra-modern main building ("The Triangle") most weeks, but its size can make it seem overbearing at times. Whitley is smaller (still not small), quieter and has a more community-ish feel. I like to compare Gaydon to London as a mega world city, the hustle and the bustle but with the culture and opportunities, whilst Whitley is more of a Birmingham, a second city, smaller but still big enough, a lot less polish and inevitably with less to do, but in many ways more manageable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes. Loads. Again, what you pick up will wildly vary between departments; I've done work with electronics, for example, where I honed my soldering and programming. Your work skillset will complement what you learn at uni.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
It's not been too bad, saving the start where we faced inefficiencies from both JLR and Warwick University admin teams in setting up many things. I've not had any major issues after the first 2.5 or so months; it's generally been quite smooth organisationally. In terms of structure, there's never been any issue for me - it's pretty well thought out on a corporate and university scale; how structured a manager and the department under them is differs. Co-ordination between the uni and JLR is not as good as it could be, but it isn't terrible by any measure.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
JLR has its own Early Careers Team who are quite supportive, co-ordinate between you and the uni (although you have meetings with your uni tutor as well) and have a variety of events going on. The team isn't specific to degree apprentices, however, it's also for lower apprentices, undergrads and grads.
As required by law, you are given one day as a study day every working week that falls in university term-time. You should use that to study, although I also have plenty of opportunities to study sat at my workplace. As I mentioned above, not all matters that the uni and JLR should co-ordinate in are seamless, but it's adequate in that regard, and quite good otherwise.
As required by law, you are given one day as a study day every working week that falls in university term-time. You should use that to study, although I also have plenty of opportunities to study sat at my workplace. As I mentioned above, not all matters that the uni and JLR should co-ordinate in are seamless, but it's adequate in that regard, and quite good otherwise.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
A decent amount. You have your uni tutor with whom you have at least one meeting every three months ("tripartite" - legally necessary, between you, your tutor and your manager). My tutor is always open to me having a chat whenever I need. You can feel cut-off from your university lecturers, as much of the teaching takes place online, which isn't really the best experience. We have raised it with the university department, but word is in the air that they do not want to make more of it in person as they work to a budget. It may not be so, however: on the one hand, it is a bit more convenient for some people to do it online, but for the most part, it's nowhere near as engaging. Let's see how it materialises.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Symbiosis. Both intertwine and complement each other. Of course, the theory at university isn't a hundred percent going to mirror what you do in practise - as with any course - but they work together, getting you the practical experience and theoretical knowledge simultaneously.
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
Plenty, through the afore-mentioned Early Careers. I myself haven't been on any yet - although I really want to go some day for the recurring go-karting events. Other activities include hiking and football, as well as many one-off events. And, of course, you can join any university society.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend JLR to a friend?
Yes
Why?
You get the degree, you get real-world work experience and you get paid. All at one of Britain's most prestigious car companies. What's not to like?
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JLR?
Work hard if you haven't already got your a-level (or equivalent) grades. You do need a maths a-level even if you do a BTEC Extended Diploma, for example. Trust yerself and get those grades!
When it comes to submitting the application, be persuasive and ideally get someone professionally successful (e.g. a sixth form careers officer or a qualified relative of yours) to check through your application and cover letter and take their feedback onboard. Do check for templates online or on YT too, but secondarily.
Practise for those aptitude tests well - JLR will send you a link to practise theirs. Trust yourself, sit up straight and smash it.
Then hopefully you shall get to the final boss - the interviewer(s). From beforehand, you'll have a topic to make a presentation on, so research JLR sources well and make it professional and elegant. Familiarise yourself with any news on JLR (you can literally type 'jlr' into Google and check out the News section), they may ask you. Practise for presenting and your interview from before, and check out common interview questions. During the interview, be confident (practise this if you think you can't, because you always can - and if you must, there are plenty of yt vids to help) and face the task.
Do your best. Don't overstress either, especially if you have exams alongside. Maintain a balance. Do what you can, research, read, practise, get your parents to pray for you etc etc etc. Don't overburden yourself, and get good sleep the night before.
You've got this, I believe in you :D
When it comes to submitting the application, be persuasive and ideally get someone professionally successful (e.g. a sixth form careers officer or a qualified relative of yours) to check through your application and cover letter and take their feedback onboard. Do check for templates online or on YT too, but secondarily.
Practise for those aptitude tests well - JLR will send you a link to practise theirs. Trust yourself, sit up straight and smash it.
Then hopefully you shall get to the final boss - the interviewer(s). From beforehand, you'll have a topic to make a presentation on, so research JLR sources well and make it professional and elegant. Familiarise yourself with any news on JLR (you can literally type 'jlr' into Google and check out the News section), they may ask you. Practise for presenting and your interview from before, and check out common interview questions. During the interview, be confident (practise this if you think you can't, because you always can - and if you must, there are plenty of yt vids to help) and face the task.
Do your best. Don't overstress either, especially if you have exams alongside. Maintain a balance. Do what you can, research, read, practise, get your parents to pray for you etc etc etc. Don't overburden yourself, and get good sleep the night before.
You've got this, I believe in you :D
Industrial Operations: Manufacturing Engineering Undergraduate
at JLR
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Liverpool
-
5
