After leaving school, I spent two years studying fashion and another year learning costume making. But alongside my love of textiles and needlecraft, I’d always had a passion for cars – most of my family work in the automobile industry. So, when I saw an advert on Instagram for a soft furnishings and upholstery apprenticeship at BMW Group, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to combine my love of textiles and cars.

Working at Goodwood plant is really interesting, there’s always something happening and something going on. Coming in for the first time, it was really like nothing I’d seen before – the wow factor was amazing with all the cars and all the equipment. After two years, it really feels like home. It’s like a massive family, everyone is so nice and friendly.

I study at college two days a week and my class is mainly made up of Rolls-Royce students so it’s nice that we get to work as a team and bounce ideas off each other. It’s different to being in the workplace – it’s the same set of skills but used in a completely different environment, so it helps to get a different understanding of everything you are learning, while also being able to apply it at your workplace as well.

I love the fact that I work with a lot of ex-apprentices who’ve taken the same route as me and I’ve gotten to learn their stories and find out how they got to where they got to. It’s inspiring being part of a team who wants to see you progress and lift you up, a really refreshing experience. 

Louisa,

Soft Furnishing and Upholstery Apprentice, Rolls-Royce, Goodwood.