JLR Apprenticeships - Should i apply?

[Flying Toaster]

I'm currently in my first few weeks at sixth form, but i'm really getting sick of the place already and I want out. This leaves me with a problem. What could I do if I left sixth form?

I've been looking at Jaguar Land Rover's apprenticeships and think they sound like a good idea for getting into a career in engineering, so should i take the plunge and apply for one?

I don't think that i could survive another two years in sixth form, so if anyone has any other ideas, feel free to share them.

[niva441]

If you want to get involved in engineering there probably aren't many better places to start. They are a good company who are well set up to introduce you to a company and careers.

I think there was a similar thread on JLR from a graduate a few months ago.

[Engineer1]

Now without wishing to sound disrespectful of anyone I would suspect the JLR aprentiship would equip you for a life on the tools, you may well learn a lot and get skills but you would be a technician not an Engineer, an Engineer designs the stuff a technician gets it working and keeps it working.

[KrazyIvan]

Engineer1 said:

Now without wishing to sound disrespectful of anyone I would suspect the JLR aprentiship would equip you for a life on the tools, you may well learn a lot and get skills but you would be a technician not an Engineer, an Engineer designs the stuff a technician gets it working and keeps it working.

Not wishing to sound disrespectful but according to the oxford dictionary and engineer is defined as

Oxford online dictionary said:

1 a person who designs, builds, or maintains engines, machines, or structures.


a person qualified in a branch of engineering, especially as a professional:an aeronautical engineer

Meaning he would have as much right to call himself an Engineer as anyone else, who had worked for it.

[Engineer1]

ImechE, IEE etc have been trying to get the term Engineer protected, to mean a degree qualified professional not a mechanic who is bigging themselves up.
here is the argument/ explanation

[monkey gland]

Engineer1 said:

ImechE, IEE etc have been trying to get the term Engineer protected, to mean a degree qualified professional not a mechanic who is bigging themselves up.
here is the argument/ explanation

Trying being the operative word. So far they have not succeeded.

I can tell this upsets you.

[Engineer1]

It doesn't upset me, but people wanting to get into engineering need to look carefully at what they are getting into is it technician/ mechanic which is likely wage limiting or is it real Engineering in an office/lab or design centre getting new stuff done. I am just trying to point out that Engineering and engineering are different and if you want into the design and problem solving side then double check what the apprenticeship offers otherwise you could be in a career dead end.

[Tomaahawk]

I'd definitely recommend it, personally would say its one of the best apprentice schemes running although i am somewhat bias as i am currently entering my second year as an apprentice with the company.

Apprentice intakes are annual, the 2011 intake has been completed and the group has already started. Applications for next year wont be open til early next year but i believe you can register interest on the JLR careers website and they will contact you once the applications are open.

Just as a side note, the scheme certainly wont result in a career dead end as there is plenty of opportunities arising with the company with it being on a roll as it stands and there is also a chance to be sponsored for a degree (although not guaranteed and depends on your pathway) so you can move up to an "engineer" level.

Feel free to mail me if you want any more info.

[Flying Toaster]

Ok, so I really wanted a career in product development rather than being a line worker, so could an apprenticeship get me there? Also, are there any other paths I could take to get into a career in product design? I'm more of a hands on type person, so maths mechanics which is all equations is boring me to tears. I can deal with some classroom stuff, but i'd just like to see some real world stuff.

[DSM2]

Engineer1 said:

It doesn't upset me, but people wanting to get into engineering need to look carefully at what they are getting into is it technician/ mechanic which is likely wage limiting or is it real Engineering in an office/lab or design centre getting new stuff done. I am just trying to point out that Engineering and engineering are different and if you want into the design and problem solving side then double check what the apprenticeship offers otherwise you could be in a career dead end.

All due respect, but from your website you're more a draftsman than engineer.

[Pickled Piper]

Flying Toaster said:

Ok, so I really wanted a career in product development rather than being a line worker, so could an apprenticeship get me there? Also, are there any other paths I could take to get into a career in product design? I'm more of a hands on type person, so maths mechanics which is all equations is boring me to tears. I can deal with some classroom stuff, but i'd just like to see some real world stuff.

A JLR apprenticeship may get you into Product Development but there is no guarantee, you could easily end up doing a "Technician" type job getting your hands dirty. A University degree is normally a prerequisite for PD and probably the most direct route into an interesting PD role.

You have to decide what suits you most. I found academic study including an Engineering degree immensely tedious at times, but I viewed it as a means of getting an "entry ticket".

Apprentices do make it into PD jobs, but have often studied for degrees at night school or similar. For every apprentice that has worked through the system and landed a good job, there are 100 that are cleaning grease from their finger nails and cursing the Graduate Engineers swanning about in a shirt and tie and working in genuinely interesting and challenging roles.

In answer to your original question- go ahead and apply. It will give you a feel for the apprentice route, you can ask questions and the recruitment process will tell you a lot about the Company. Nothing saying that you have to accept if you are offered a place.


pp

[Frik]

What PP says. Don't worry, you won't end up as a line worker. With an engineering apprenticeship you'd be overqualified for that.

There are masses of opportunities at JLR at the moment. My advice would be to get in now whilst you can.

[Flying Toaster]

Well, the only thing i can do is apply and see what happens.

Oh, apart from the fact that I'll have to wait until next year to apply.

[crofty1984]

Flying Toaster said:

Well, the only thing i can do is apply and see what happens.

Oh, apart from the fact that I'll have to wait until next year to apply.

Bear in mind that JLR are owned by Tata, who own Corus and god knows what else. So it may also be easier for you to move around within the "family" if you need it to further your career.

[Pickled Piper]

Flying Toaster said:

Well, the only thing i can do is apply and see what happens.

Oh, apart from the fact that I'll have to wait until next year to apply.

No bad thing. It will give you further time to see if you can stick it out through "A' levels and the prospect of University. Absolutely, nothing wrong with looking around and checking out alternative avenues. It just means you can make more informed decisions.

Good luck.

pp

[davislove]

Flying Toaster said:

I'm currently in my first few weeks at sixth form, but i'm really getting sick of the place already and I want out. This leaves me with a problem. What could I do if I left sixth form?

I've been looking at Jaguar Land Rover's apprenticeships and think they sound like a good idea for getting into a career in engineering, so should i take the plunge and apply for one?

I don't think that i could survive another two years in sixth form, so if anyone has any other ideas, feel free to share them.

Can't speak on the quality of the JLR scheme but I was in a similar situation many years ago and did an apprenticeship in engineering manufacturing, I'd recommend it. Your experience will be broad which is invaluable for deciding on your career path and you'll be in a good position to go through the ranks as the years progress, most of the top managers were apprentices at my company. Should you decide to leave you'll have the experience and a qualification and it'll be good fun if you get with a good group of lads.

best of luck with your choices