Automotive apprenticeship

Author
Discussion

Keelanv

Original Poster:

43 posts

16 months

Thursday 21st September 2023
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Hi guys, I’m in my last year of school, 18 yr old and was wondering if anyone knew any higher level apprenticeships to get into the automotive industry. I’ve applied to apprenticeships at Porsche, got an opportunity at jaguar but they’re only level 3 apprenticeships. I don’t mind that however was looking something ideally that would pay for my degree and teach me.

Decky_Q

1,656 posts

184 months

Thursday 21st September 2023
quotequote all
Is it maintenance and repair you want to get into?

If it is, Level3 is minimum needed to get onto level4/5. This is because they wont be re-covering the topics, so if you don't do level 3 first then you wont know anything about industry standard methods, diagnosis, or repair etc. and this will do you no favours at interviews if you get any without the basics.

Level 4/5 is about managing a garage, so covers employment law and leadership for staff management, legislation and responsibilities in waste management, risk assesing etc. It doesnt cover any topics relating to vehicles very much at all.

If I were to start again at 18, i would get good Alevel results but do a sponsored appenticeship (level3 can be done in 2 years in most techs if you put the work in) before applying for an engineering/automotive degree.

Keelanv

Original Poster:

43 posts

16 months

Thursday 21st September 2023
quotequote all
Decky_Q said:
Is it maintenance and repair you want to get into?

If it is, Level3 is minimum needed to get onto level4/5. This is because they wont be re-covering the topics, so if you don't do level 3 first then you wont know anything about industry standard methods, diagnosis, or repair etc. and this will do you no favours at interviews if you get any without the basics.

Level 4/5 is about managing a garage, so covers employment law and leadership for staff management, legislation and responsibilities in waste management, risk assesing etc. It doesnt cover any topics relating to vehicles very much at all.

If I were to start again at 18, i would get good Alevel results but do a sponsored appenticeship (level3 can be done in 2 years in most techs if you put the work in) before applying for an engineering/automotive degree.
What is a sponsored apprenticeship and do I need to do level 2 before I can do level 3? Thank you for the help also I really appreciate it

Decky_Q

1,656 posts

184 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
No level 2 is very basic so 90% will skip this.

Usually the tech will have a list of garages that have taken on apprentices each year for you to contact and try to get a placement, nepotism is rife for these places so if you know anyone who works there already to give you a chance use it.

The sponsored places will pay you a small hourly rate, cover the cost of the course and give you a tool allowance to start a MAC or snap on account to get your tools. (usually you sign a contract for 2years after completion as a payback for their investment).

The garage you end up in will teach you everything more so than the classroom so a good master tech is essential at this stage, some are keen teachers and want a competent helper, others cant be arsed and will try to leave you washing vehicles or doing unskilled donkey work for £2.50 an hour- dont let that happen, if you start a placement and that's what's happening talk to the tech immediately to get a transfer.

Keelanv

Original Poster:

43 posts

16 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
Decky_Q said:
No level 2 is very basic so 90% will skip this.

Usually the tech will have a list of garages that have taken on apprentices each year for you to contact and try to get a placement, nepotism is rife for these places so if you know anyone who works there already to give you a chance use it.

The sponsored places will pay you a small hourly rate, cover the cost of the course and give you a tool allowance to start a MAC or snap on account to get your tools. (usually you sign a contract for 2years after completion as a payback for their investment).

The garage you end up in will teach you everything more so than the classroom so a good master tech is essential at this stage, some are keen teachers and want a competent helper, others cant be arsed and will try to leave you washing vehicles or doing unskilled donkey work for £2.50 an hour- dont let that happen, if you start a placement and that's what's happening talk to the tech immediately to get a transfer.
Thanks a lot for the help, sorry about so many questions, but school doesn’t help me at all to figure out these things, also if I sign on for 2 years after my course is finished would I have to wait to go to uni for my automotive degree?

Decky_Q

1,656 posts

184 months

Saturday 23rd September 2023
quotequote all
RE: 2 year contract. I work in HGVs mostly and 4 out of 5 engineering apprentices we get are only waiting untill they turn 21 to get their 'big licence'. They do the apprenticeship over 3 years and then leave to drive lorries as soon as they can. I've never heard of the company going after them for breach of contract, and I've never heard of it at any similar companies.

Porsche or Jaguar are a bit more by the book so I could see them going after the course fees possibly, which would be about £2k, but maybe someone here who trained at big prestige brands could comment as that's a bit far from my experience to comment accurately.

voicey

2,457 posts

194 months

Sunday 24th September 2023
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Where in the country are you? I’m always looking to bring an apprentice in. We’re a small but very well respected supercar workshop.

Dynion Araf Uchaf

4,683 posts

230 months

Monday 25th September 2023
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BMW Plant MINI do degree apprenticeships, you will need however, some good A level grades and pass their assessment centre. My daughters friend (age 20) is currently on the scheme earning 25k per year, and has a 2 series BMW company car. Gets her degree in 3 more years.