APEP: Product Design & Development Degree Apprentice Review
at JLR
Degree Apprenticeship
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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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'm within test engineering, we test components and subsystems of current and future JLR products, ensuring they meet rigorous requirements to last extended periods of use over the vehicle's lifetime. Generally, I'm in a workshop environment, seeing and interacting with prototype parts and vehicles on a daily basis., making my role quite practical. General testing we carry out in my area will include seat testing using robots, to mimic people getting in and out of a car. We also test accessories, trim pannels, and many more components of the car, generally things the user would interact with or see. Day-to-day, my job role allows me to setup, program and test components using a range of apparatus like robots, pneumatics and environmental chambers. The role also sees some computer-based work too, making sure tests are properly documented, with failure modes being identified and communicated effectively with customer teams. People on my program are distributed across various parts of engineering within the business, and so you never really know where you my be placed until a few moths before joining. While I love the practical and interactive elements of my role, it can feel slightly disconnected from the wider business as you can't fully influence design/engineering decisions, you are mainly validating the decisions that have already been made.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Enjoy the program greatly. It offers a great balance between University and work life The apprenticeship also allows you to kickstart a career in the automotive industry if that is an aspiration of yours. Working at a big company like JLR also allows the opportunity for you to move around teams during the apprenticeship, to experience different area of the business which may not be possible compared to someone that is fully employed. JLR also offers great benefits too, whether that's the events that are put on throughout the year, a nice working environment or the experiences that really make the difference.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I've definitely developed a range of skills during the apprenticeship, mainly quite practical based. However, I have also been able to learn new CAD software's, programming and the overall function of the full business.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The program is generally well supported/organised from both Warwick university and the company. There are sometimes communication issues between the two however that is a given.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
There any many people, mentors and people assigned to me to help with any work related or general queries.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Warwick generally offer great support, however I fee there is a better structure at the company as we spend more time there.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
We have generalised modules throughout the first 2 years, with more focus towards our specific pathway in years 3 and 4. This is great to get some general, overall knowledge of engineering, which has helped within the workplace during certain situations.
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
JLR have a great early careers community who always run social events and offer great help!
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend JLR to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Mentioned previously
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to JLR?
For the assessment centre, you may be asked to do some research on the reimagine strategy. The main thing to remember is that they're not tyring to see how much you know about the company or trying to catch you out. The task is really there to see how you approach, analyse and research into the project, and your views on it.
1. Do some general research into the company as to why this strategy was created.
2. Think about the advantages/disadvantages of the strategy based on current world events/state.
3. What do you think about the strategy? Give your views/things you may change to show your knowledge.
Also for the interview:
They may ask you how you align with values from the creators code. Try to give examples of projects/hobbies/things you do as to why you align with them. For example, if they ask you about Unity, you can say that you're in a sports team or something, because it shows your teamwork skills. Doing this is general for each part of the creators code helps to prove why you meet certain aspects as you can give real evidence through what you do (instead of just saying you have integrity or something)
1. Do some general research into the company as to why this strategy was created.
2. Think about the advantages/disadvantages of the strategy based on current world events/state.
3. What do you think about the strategy? Give your views/things you may change to show your knowledge.
Also for the interview:
They may ask you how you align with values from the creators code. Try to give examples of projects/hobbies/things you do as to why you align with them. For example, if they ask you about Unity, you can say that you're in a sports team or something, because it shows your teamwork skills. Doing this is general for each part of the creators code helps to prove why you meet certain aspects as you can give real evidence through what you do (instead of just saying you have integrity or something)
