Level 6 Controls Engineer Review
at BMW Group UK
Degree Apprenticeship
Automotive Engineering
Coleshill, Birmingham, UK
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.6 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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
Within the first year, we are on-site at the training provider full-time. Four days a week we complete a practical course, gaining experience in a number of skills that are relevant to the work we will be conducting at the BMW plant. On the other day of the week, we study for our qualification, where I personally study towards a Bachelors Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughly enjoy my programme, it allows me to excel as an employee, a student, and an individual. The environment builds my character, both informally through the close friendships I am building as well as formally due to the professional relationships and networking the automotive industry makes available to me.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt a significant amount of skills, both practical and theoretical. In my degree, I am learning various equations that are applicable to the electronics and electrical maintenance classes I am undertaking within my practical course. I have also learnt how to build and maintain pneumatic and hydraulic systems, as well as how to automate systems by integrating a PLC.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The structure of the programme is rather extensive and thorough. The first year allows us to enjoy college life and build relationships with the other apprentices in our cohort, while the further years introduce us to life at work without throwing us in the deep end and encourage us to branch out and create valuable connections.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My employer is incredibly supportive, consistently encouraging us to reach out to the company for any and all help we may need. In addition, we have an internal manager who is with us at the training provider, who is always available to us and provides support whenever we may need it.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The training provider is supportive when we are working towards our qualifications, whether it is within the practical course or the degree. We have access to a range of devices and machines at the college, as well as software that puts us ahead of even some universities. The training provider is consistently encouraging us to approach the support team whenever we may need it.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that my qualification is incredibly relevant and applicable to my role as a Controls Engineer, especially within the electronics classes, electrical wiring/maintenance and PLC programming. PLC's are a large aspect of Controls Engineering, and the software and programming language used are transferable to what we use at the plant.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are multiple extracurricular activities for us apprentices especially to get involved in. Some examples are a football team for any and all employees to get involved in, which involves biweekly football matches. Another example is the charity team, where a number of apprentices work together to arrange fundraisers for the organisations chosen charity.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BMW Group UK to a friend?
Yes
Why?
BMW Group has helped me develop as an employee, an engineer and as a person. I have gained meaningful friendships and developed valuable connections with individuals that are experienced in the industry. I would advise BMW Group to anyone interested in an apprenticeship, especially the Birmingham site Plant Hams Hall.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BMW Group UK?
I would advise to research the company - it looks a lot better if you know about the organisation prior to meeting the Hiring Managers. In addition, I would advise that you perfect a professional attitude and formal approach when going to the workplace for your Assessment Day - image makes all the difference.
Public Relations and Events Assistant
at BMW Group UK
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Farnborough, Hampshire
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4.8
