LEVEL 6 Applied Professional Engineering Programme Degree Apprentice Review
at JLR
Degree Apprenticeship
Automotive Engineering, Engineering
Gaydon
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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:
5/5
In my home department of NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) I am training to become a test engineer. We work alongside other departments to conduct development focused tests ranging from attribute refinement to competitor benchmarking to ensure our vehicles are at the highest possible levels of refinements in regards to their acoustic and vibration quality. Day-to-day life varies a lot based on what specific test we are conducting but i love the balance of hands-on practical elements, such as setting up the car with microphones and accelerometers ready to test, and digital elements, such as running the complex testing software during tests.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I truly love my apprenticeship. It's not without its struggles, mainly in regards to intense workloads at times and challenges managing mulitple deadlines alongside work at once; but i truly don't regret my choice of going down an apprenticeship route (especially with JLR) for one second. Its so nice having practical example to be able to relate my university theory to and i love everything about the work side from my amazing home department i mentioned above to all the unique opportunities i have undertaken such as representing the apprenticeships at early ambassador events and exploring the company as a whole during different placements opportunities.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
There are so many new skills i have learnt throughout my apprenticeship, with the one i am most proud of being my communication and presentation skills. I was a naturally introverted kid coming out of school but i have truly been able to embrace a new side of myself and develop my skills through the course. I am now really good at presenting and to date have talked at 16 early career ambassador events, sharing my story and experiences as an apprentice, and i have co-led 8 facility tours of my department alongside my mentor - both thing i couldn't have even dreamed about having the ability to do when i started!
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
There was times when it felt like the structure could be improved, particularly in regards to times when deadlines had been bunched close together making balancing our time really difficult and stressful, but i can truly see that everyone is willing to listen to any constructive criticism we have and make the needed improvements. I saw this when i was a member of the SSLC (student representative) where our feedback would be listened to and acted upon and through the changes in the courses overall structure throughout the years. It may not have been a perfect structure, but the willingness to continually improve it is what makes the difference.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My home department, including everyone from my manager, mentor and the rest of the team, have always been so welcoming and supportive. They are always happy to get me involved in what they are doing and answer any questions i have, while also remaining understanding when i have to step away from work a bit to focus on university or apprenticeship commitments. As well as the support from my home team, i also have a large network of early career support as well from my cohort leader who is always there to help me if im having any issues to our wider department of Engineering Operations' support team who help keep us connected with other apprentices and help us organise placements.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Similar to the JLR early careers support network, we also have support networks through the university from my apprenticeship tutor and module tutor who are always happy to answer any questions i have to tutors in my final year to help with my final year project dissertation and apprenticeship end point assessment. There have been a few cases for module lecturers being challenging to work with and unwilling to help when you are lost in a university module, but the support i receive from this wider team is always amazing (like work).
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Personally, my department is fairly unique in the way that most of what i learn at university doesnt directly link to what i do within my department as my team is more about practical hands on testing linked to noise and vibration, which wasn't a topic we covered at university. There are a few indirect links like mathematic principles that link to the testing software we use or operating principles of certain sensors which are the similar to our testing equipment, but nothing i have learn really directly helps me in my role. However, It has helped when i have gone on placements to other departments and i completely understand how it relates to engineering as a whole so hopefully it will prove to be more relevant in the future.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
As i have already briefly mentioned, i love getting involved in activities and opportunities outside of my normal day-to-day role. My favourite thing about being an apprentice is that we get the opportunity to be become JLR early career ambassadors and attend a range of different events from school talks to university open days to on-site tours where i cna help inspire the next generation of potential apprentices through sharing my stories and experiences. I even got to go to parliament earlier this year for an event to speak to MPs about apprenticeships which was really cool. I also love doing placements in other departments to develop my skills and understanding of the company as a whole; helping my mentor co-lead facility tours of our department to people from across the company; and working with the early career socials committee to organise a bunch of fun social events with other apprentices, graduates and undergraduates such as our yearly skiing trip, a charity fundraising wolf run event and loads more.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend JLR to a friend?
Yes
Why?
As you have hopefully picked up on throughout my review i truly love my apprenticeship, particularly the work-related aspects of it especially, and would highly recommend it as a great route for anyone willing to put the work in. JLR is a great company with really friendly people, and its amazing to see the importance they place on early career pathways such as apprenticeships as it shows they appreciate the importance that these roles have for us and the companies future.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JLR?
Honestly my best piece of advice is to be yourself. They aren't looking for one type of person, they really are interested in what YOU specifically could bring to the table, what makes YOU different from the other applicants and the passion YOU are showing for joining. Best example i always tell people is i knew absolutely nothing about cars when i started, i was really scared to tell anyone cause i thought that would be a big thing they were looking for but really they were way more interested in my personality and interests and experiences cause at the end of the day i could be taught about cars, but my willingness and passion to learn couldn't be taught.
Applied Professional Engineering Programme Degree Apprentice
at JLR
- Degree Apprenticeship
- Gaydon
-
4.6
