Level 6 Engineering Technician Apprentice Review
at BMW Group UK
Degree Apprenticeship
Automotive Engineering
Swindon, UK
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
4 /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
5/5
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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
During this phase of my apprenticeship, I spend four out of five days each week at the Swindon Plant. Here, I explore different areas and departments where I might eventually work. I stay in each area for about 12 weeks, during which I shadow colleagues, tackle projects, engage in daily tasks, and attend meetings. The remaining day is dedicated to university, where we travel to Birmingham City University to pursue our degree in Manufacturing Engineering.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I think the three-month rotation system keeps things fresh throughout the year, and having university days adds a nice change of pace to the work week. This setup has made my experience here more enjoyable and kept me motivated. So far, I haven't been in any part of the site where I've felt bored or overwhelmed, which has made my time here really enjoyable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I went into the apprenticeship right after college, so all the skills I've picked up in the workplace have been learned here. The first year of the program involves traveling to the apprentice workshop at Plant Oxford, where you get to dive into hands-on skills like milling, turning, circuit wiring, and pneumatics systems. Once you start working in the actual environment, you develop abilities like public speaking, building confidence, and understanding how to conduct yourself professionally.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
As I mentioned earlier, I genuinely appreciate how the program is set up, with placements in roles that could be future career paths and the inclusion of university days. It's great that we rarely need to work beyond regular hours. During our first year, when we faced some challenges with the structure and organisation, our feedback and suggestions were heard and addressed, which was a big improvement.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I've always felt fully backed by my employer, no matter the issue—whether it's related to the program, managing workloads and deadlines, or even personal matters. I feel comfortable reaching out to my apprentice manager anytime with any concerns, knowing they'll be taken seriously and addressed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Since starting the Level 6 part of the apprenticeship, we've switched from BMet, who were conveniently located at Plant Oxford, to BCU. This change has made accessing support a bit trickier, as we're now dealing with lecturers who have many other students, rather than a small, dedicated team on-site. Despite this, I haven't encountered any problems with the support I've been getting so far.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
To earn the qualification, we need to complete various courses, ranging from advanced materials to product lifecycle management. While some subjects seem more directly related to my job than others, pursuing a degree still enhances my performance at work. It helps me hone essential skills like time management, maintaining focus, taking notes, listening actively, and asking questions—all of which are crucial during 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 are plenty of ways to dive into work and connect with others. If you're looking to network, join a team, and make a positive impact, you can get involved in roles like charity champions, the newsletter team, or SharePoint moderators. These groups are always welcoming fresh faces from each new batch. Plus, there are regular training days and courses you can either be assigned to or volunteer for, offering chances to travel to different sites and meet new folks. Last year, we organized a charity football match, which might just pave the way for sports activities at the Plant, though that's not happening just yet.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BMW Group UK to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The environment here is fantastic, and the company has a solid reputation. The support is excellent, and the salary is competitive. There are also chances to travel, and everything is well-organized. Honestly, I can't see how any other apprenticeship in this field could top what BMW Group provides. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in the apprenticeship so far and look forward to a long, enjoyable career with BMW Group.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BMW Group UK?
While it's definitely helpful to have experience in manufacturing projects or qualifications related to the field, I didn't have those when I started. My advice is to focus on showcasing who you are as a person—how you collaborate in a team, whether you're outgoing, a leader or a team player, supportive, polite, respectful, and so on. The company has four years to teach you the technical stuff you don't know, which is the whole purpose of the apprenticeship. So, highlight the skills and qualities you already possess to demonstrate that you're the kind of person they want to invest in.
