Level 6 Engineering Technician Review
at BMW Group UK
Degree Apprenticeship
Manufacturing
Swindon, Wiltshire
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
3.9 /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
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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
At this stage of the apprenticeship, my work week consists of 4/5 days on site in Plant Swindon, where I spend my time learning about the various areas & departments i could end up in. I spend 12 weeks at a time in one area before moving on and in that time you will shadow others, take on projetcs, partake in day-to-day work activities, attend meetings etc.
the other day is our university day where we`re currently travelling to Birmingham City University to carry out our Degree in Manufacturing Engineering
the other day is our university day where we`re currently travelling to Birmingham City University to carry out our Degree in Manufacturing Engineering
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I believe the 3-month placement structure keeps work interesting over a year with the university days breaking up your work week with a bit more variety as well, this has helped me to enjoy my time here more and to stay motivated. I am yet to have spent time in an area of the site where I have felt bored or overworked and so have really enjoyed my time
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I joined the apprenticeship straight out of college and so any skills I have gained in the workplace is because I learnt it here. The first year of the apprenticeship, where you travel to the apprentice workshop in Plant Oxford, allows you to learn many hands-on skills such as milling, turning, circuit wiring, pneumatics systems which was a lot of fun and rewarding, once you start spending time out in the workplace, you develop skills such as public speaking, confidence, how to carry yourself and behave in a working environment etc. I have learnt a lot since being here.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
As mentioned above, i personally really like the structure of the programme with placements in potential future job roles & the university day, we rarely have to do extra work outside of work hours. When we had issues with the structure/organisation in our first year, our complaints & suggestions were listened to and improved on.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I have always felt like I have had full support of my employer in any issues we`ve had whether that be with the programme, workloads & deadlines, or personal issues. I feel i can message my apprentice manager at anytime with any issues and know it will be looked into.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
since attending university for the level 6 section of the apprenticeship, we have changed providers from BMet (who are on site at Plant Oxford) to BCU, because of this, support is more difficult to access as you`re interacting with lecturers who have dozens of other students to teach or to an entire university as opposed to a small, dedicated, on site team. However, I have not yet had any issues with the support I have been receiving.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
for the qualification, we have to take multiple courses from advanced materials to product lifecycle management, i would say that some topics are more relevant & applicable to my work than others are however, working towards a degree helps me perform better in my role anyways due to the development in skills such as time management, attention span, note taking, listening, questioning etc which are required to be applied on our university days.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
As apprentices, there's a lot for us to get involved in at work if you want some opportunities to network, be part of a team and make positive contributions, things such as charity champions, the newsletter team and SharePoint moderators are always bringing in new members from each new intake. There`s a steady supply of training days and courses you get assigned to or can volunteer for which have the opportunity for travel to other sites and to meet new people. We hosted a charity football match last year which could be the start of integrating some form of sports activities at the Plant but for now this is not the case.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BMW Group UK to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Good environment, respectable company, great support, competitive salary, opportunities to travel, well structured, couldn't imagine how any other apprenticeship in this field could be better than what BMW Group is offering, i have loved my time in the apprenticeship so far and plan to have a long, enjoyable career with BMW Group.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BMW Group UK?
Although it is of course beneficial top have projects relating to manufacturing you have already taken part in, or qualifications closely linked to the subject but as someone who did not have this, my advice would be to show them what sort of person you are (how you work in a team, whether you're outgoing, a ;leader or team player, good at supporting others, polite, respectful etc) The company have 4 years to teach you things you don`t know, that's the point of the apprenticeship so try and promote the skills & characteristics you already to show youre the type of person they want to invest in.
