Paintshop planning apprentice Review
at BMW Group UK
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Engineering
Westhampnett
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.1 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
2.6/5
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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
I deal with the maintenance, quality and improvement of tooling in the paintshop. I also have a project with the site extension and designing and developing our new wax and foaming work bay. Along with this i am redesigning the door brake concept for our new models to improve sustainability and efficiency.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I love work, I like the responsibility and the fact that i am always learning and developing my skills to grow myself and my career. On the other had college isnt very fun. The teacher is lackluster as there are too many of us in one class and the teachers dont get enough time to give us one to one teaching.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes. I have developed skills at college. These involve how to write a engineering report and specification, i had to do this on my own as the teaching is rubbish at our college. At work I have further developed my skills in CAD and presentation skills so now i feel alot more confident when presenting my work infront of big crowds.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Work wise it is good from my point of view. I have a clear layout from my managers on what my job role is and what my responsibility is within the paintshop. I would like to have a greater opportunity to go on placements around the plant to gain a wider understanding however this is due to my manager wanting me to gain as much knowledge for my job role at the end of my apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
Both my line manager and apprenticeship manager give me good support. For the most part I don't require it however when I have needed it I have received it quickly and has been very useful in resolving the situation. When we have sessions to give feedback and review our course it is good because we can get our opinion across well.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
Varies on the teacher. Some give minimal due to our large class and only seeing us once a week. More feedback on our progression and assignments would be good as sometimes I just am winging my assignements and dont know if im on the right track to get the highest grade possible.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
Slowly it has become better due to being more engineering focused. Allowing us to do practical work is good as the hands on experience is good.
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
Not many. would be good to network and create better relationships with apprentices who arent in my year.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BMW Group UK to a friend?
Yes
Why?
For the most part it is a good work area where you get alot of responsibility if you work hard and are rewarded.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BMW Group UK?
You have to be ready to work and learn due to being thrown in at the deep end.
