Apprentice - Wood Manufacturing Review
at BMW Group UK
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Manufacturing
Chichester
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.2 /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
4/5
-
Skills Development
2.2/5
-
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
Involved in the planning department for the interior surface centre making wood, carbon, lacquered and painted parts for Rolls-Royce vehicles. Day to day duties can include problem solving issues within the production area as well as project planning future models and implementing improvements within the area I am assigned to.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy the programme at work a lot. The people I work with are all very friendly and there is a massive amount of knowledge within my department which is invaluable. There's been many opportunities to branch out from my home department as well as go to events outside of work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
The first two years I was heavily involved in the production areas producing parts for vehicles. This ranged from using laser cutters, hydraulic presses, vacuum presses, sanding, lacquering, polishing and quality inspecting parts. After that became more involved with office staff carrying out metrology checks, working on bespoke projects and carrying out planning tasks.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The programme is quite well structured. From the beginning I was given a timetable containing all of my various placements meaning that I always knew where I was supposed to be and what I am learning. Once in those placements sometimes there was issues within the area as the trainers/team leaders weren't aware of what I am supposed to be there for.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
There's a mixed level of support from my employer. I feel for the most part that my managers are doing what they can to make my experience as positive as possible, however sometimes I feel with the number of apprentices it's easy to have your issues be forgotten about.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
Overall the support received from my training provider is poor. The level of teaching isn't very high from certain lecturers and the overall structure of the course is not good. I find that in most circumstances I am using my free time as well as time at work to learn the topics that we are supposed to be taught in college.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
Most of the topics that are taught on the course are valuable towards my role as they give the building blocks that help me perform better. However, the poor support from the course provider means that the level of knowledge that I am given isn't as high as it could be. A few of the topics are not relevant for 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.)
2/5
We used to do some social activities outside of work together as apprentices but recently these haven't been happening. There are opportunities to do extra-curricular activities with other work colleagues who aren't apprentices though, such as rock climbing, football etc. There aren't many opportunities given to meet people on other sites within BMW group.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BMW Group UK to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Rolls Royce Motor Cars is overall a great company to work for and despite certain issues with training providers and also the current cost saving measures that are being implemented throughout BMW Group, the apprenticeship is a great opportunity for anyone to progress and build a career within multiple different fields in the automotive industry. There's good benefits such as scheme cars and a great pension plan.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BMW Group UK?
Be open to anything. Whether that's working on something completely new to you, doing events outside of your department, or even socialising with colleagues outside of work. By being open to anything you open up so many doors and meet so many new people that will help boost your career.
