I joined the BMW Group in September 2020, as a Level 6 Business Management Degree Apprentice. I completed my apprenticeship in just over three years and started my new role as Plant Steering Specialist at MINI Plant Oxford in October 2023.
During my time as an apprentice, I had the opportunity to complete over 10 different placements. Although I was primarily based at MINI Plant Oxford, I was also lucky enough to spend two months working at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, two months working at Summit ONE in Farnborough and six weeks working abroad at the BMW Plant Regensburg, Germany. The placements I completed included:
- Supplied Parts Quality Management (MINI Plant Oxford and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars)
- Financial Services Marketing (Summit ONE)
- Internal Communications
- Product (Vehicle) Audit
- HR (Plant Regensburg)
- Financial Controlling
- Logistics
Each week, I would spend four days on placement. The remaining day was spent at university, where I studied for a BA Hons degree in 'Business and Management Practice', learning about a wide variety of business topics that I was able to apply to my work through my assignments. My degree was provided by Oxford Brookes University, but my studying took place every Monday at Abingdon and Witney College's Degree Apprentice School in Abingdon, where we would study six single modules and one double module each year for three years.
A particular highlight of my apprenticeship was being able to combine my working and studying life in my final year dissertation project. At BMW Group, there are a number of extra-curricular activities available to apprentices. One of these is an internal Apprentice Newsletter team, where apprentices from each of the five BMW Group UK locations come together to write and publish a newsletter detailing the most recent apprentice projects and initiatives. I participated in this team for the entirety of my apprenticeship but was also responsible for co-leading the team for over a year. This role allowed me to design and host an in-person workshop for the entire team at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in February 2023. This project was the basis of my dissertation, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire process!
I also participated in several other apprentice activities, such as an Apprentice SharePoint development team, fundraising events for our partner charity, CALM, marketing campaigns for new apprentices, and the creation of an apprentice network platform amongst other things.
Following the completion of my degree and end point assessment, I was able to celebrate my apprenticeship journey at an 'Apprentice Recognition Event' in September 2023. This was a big highlight for me, as I got to reflect on my experience alongside my family, as well as managers and even directors who have supported me throughout.
The combination of placements, the study and additional apprenticeship activities I have completed, alongside the support of all management at the BMW Group, have really helped me to expand my network, develop my understanding of the business, and prepare me for my full-time role as a Plant Steering Specialist.