Careers at Bentley Motors

We asked our Trim Development R&D Degree Apprentice Ella Higgins to share her experience as an apprentice at Bentley Motors...

Apprenticeship: Product Design & Development Engineering Degree Apprentice - Year 3
 

What inspired you to pursue an apprenticeship? Had you always considered this route, or was it something you discovered later?

I wanted to pursue an apprenticeship as I wanted to earn a degree but didn’t want to move away from home. An apprenticeship gave me financial stability going into my early 20s and continuing to expand my education and qualification levels.

I always loved product design in school and did the subject at both high school and during my A levels. I always wanted to go down the pathway of product design and development so when I saw the apprenticeship with Bentley that included a degree with a product design and development pathway, it was a perfect fit!

Can you explain the part Trim Development plays at Bentley and what your role involves as an apprentice?

Trim Development creates and produces interior trim covers from start to finish, we also handle Mulliner and continuation series trim work. Mulliner is the bespoke commissioning and personalisation department of Bentley Motors, Trim Development heavily supplies for those personalised, bespoke vehicles. My part of this process as an apprentice is to gain experience and skills to fully equip me with the knowledge to complete all tasks asked of Trim Development.

What were your first few weeks at Bentley like, and how did your manager and team support you as you settled into the role?

My first week at Bentley had a mix of working with my team and introductions from the Early Careers team. On the first week, the other new apprentices and I had introductions with different departments, including finance, security, sales and marketing and more. We also had networking and fun activities to get to know the other apprentices, it was comforting that everyone was in the same boat. The afternoons we would spend with our managers and our teams. I was shown around and my first task was to create a mouse mat and personalise it with the help of my colleagues - I still use the mat to this day! It was a really nice way to ease into the apprenticeship and get used to my surroundings and the people I would be working with.

What skills have you developed during your apprenticeship that you feel you wouldn’t have gained through classroom learning alone?

I have gained the ability to confidently talk to new people and have confidence in my skills & knowledge when talking to them. This was made easy as I have found everyone is helpful and very approachable, not just in my department, but also every placement I have completed. I have also learnt discipline to get up and come to work every day which both wouldn’t have been developed if following the traditional university route.

I have also developed products I wouldn’t have been able to in classroom learning alone. My role features a lot of ‘concept to production’ and the process of something being developed and approved to be used in future models allow you to feel a confidence in your ability and trusted by your management. I have found all of my opinions are listened to, especially when I think something doesn’t look to standard. My solutions are welcomed and the process of trial and error is a big part of the role, but when your final product comes together it is extremely rewarding.

How have your placements around the business helped you develop skills and understanding for your role in Trim Development?

I have completed a total of 12 weeks on production in various locations along the line, from cut to seat assembly, this helped me develop further my networking skills as well as learn new skills. My placements have been very beneficial for me to understand parts of the business that may affect my role, for example, the production line. If trim development doesn’t produce interior to the standard that is expected, the line will have multiple problems a day. So, to see how this process works and what is easiest for the production colleague is important. It also contributed to my knowledge in machinery and process for when I returned.

 What’s something that has surprised you about your apprenticeship experience at Bentley so far?

I was surprised by the friends I have made at Bentley within my department, and within my cohort of apprentices. I would consider my team as friends of mine, and I enjoy spending everyday with them. There are also people within my apprentice cohort that I go to university with and are on the same course as me, I am very lucky we get to share our experience together – we also do things together outside of work socially.  I was also surprised with the outreach events and having the confidence to present to pupils within a local high school about my journey, it was valuable sharing my story with others aspiring to do what I do.

Additionally, I have created work that has never been done before at Bentley, creating one off pieces for customers. This has been extremely rewarding to produce a product that was once someone’s vision and bringing it to life for them.