Robotics Apprentice Review

Item: Robotics Apprentice at BMW Group UK
Rating: 3.8
Author: Anonymous

at BMW Group UK

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Manufacturing

Chichester

Review Submitted: March 2025

Overall Rating

3.8 /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 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

3/5 - 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

Robotics operation, programming and maintenance in the paint department of Rolls-Royce. Also some degree of manual paint repair. Lots of problem solving and process development.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

4/5

I really enjoy learning lots of new skills and trying to develop my understanding of how things work and how I can improve systems. Everyone is supportive and helps me understand and improve, once I'm working at the desirable level I also enjoy being left to work independently. I enjoy working with the majority of the people involved in the areas I work in. There is always something new to learn, especially with the nature of how painting cars with robots is.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

Learnt lots of new skills/developed skills both at college and in the workplace including machining, programming, knowledge of electronic systems, knowledge of hydraulic systems, robotics control and positioning, equipment repair and fault finding etc...

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

2/5

There is a lot of structure early on in the program which then slowly unravels later on. Sometimes you know exactly what you'll be doing for the next few weeks but others weeks you might have no communication about what the plan is going forward. You are allowed to go on placements around the business at points during your apprenticeship but this seems to be very unstructured.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

3/5

As a mature apprentice I feel I don't need as much support, so for me it is definitely adequate. Questions are generally answered in quick fashion and I know the people I can go to if I need more support.

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

5/5

The teachers at college are very knowledgeable and support the class very well in pursuing qualifications, we do lots of discussion and team study to get everyone to the same standard before we undertake an assignment. The teacher for the theory is really good at understanding each persons needs and level of previous work and will try to tailor it for each individual.

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

2/5

My level 2 qualification in Lean Manufacturing is almost entirely irrelevant to my role but some key points can be used when looking at the wider picture within the business. The practical class has taught me bench fitting and machining which I have at work when on placement with the maintenance department. I will undertake a Level 4 HNC in Engineering which will hopefully be more suited to my role.

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

There are apprentice sports teams and we do hang out together, but lots of those are organised by apprentices. The business does put on networking events for us to attend and ask questions to our leadership and other departments, to let us get a more holistic view of the company. For example, we had one earlier this year involving ex-apprentices to see what their experience and current jobs are like.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend BMW Group UK to a friend?

Yes

Why?

I'm very privileged as an apprentice here and get a lot of access to the business you would not get as a regular employee. The standard of work is high and pushes you to constantly improve. The product is also exciting to be involved with, especially as someone who has an interest in cars.