Project Management Degree Apprentice Review

by BAE Systems

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8.2/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Ensuring the delivery of major projects encompasses all required capability

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Across the entire scheme I have developed personally and professionally in a huge number of areas. Namely the KSBs from the apprenticeship standard.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I've loved my apprenticeship scheme. There have been placements that are highlights of the 5 years that have developed my professional understanding and responsibility more than others, but every placement I have learnt a new skill or some new theory. I now know what I want to do in my future career.

8/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The scheme has been quite well organised. I'd say the only counters to that may be the last-minute communications on placement changes, and the many changes in skills coaches throughout my apprenticeship journey, but I recognise that can't always be helped.

8/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

I receive enough support from my employer in terms of placements - for the most part I have had great placement managers. However, I've felt sometimes that early careers didn't always know the answers to EPA questions, but I did always feel supported in LPRs.

7/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

Uni support was hit and miss, dependent on the tutor. I've had experience of tutors that are extremely knowledgeable both on content and assessment, and others that don't seem to be of the same experience, in the politest way. Sometimes questions weren't answered in any depth.

7/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

I definitely do. Uni theory links to my area of the business very well and I've used a large amount of the knowledge to understand placement and be innovative.

9/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

Lots of stretch opportunity, particularly in earlier years when your workload can be balanced with stretch more efficiently than EPA year. I've had great experiences with stretch that I was involved with throughout the entire scheme.

10/10

9a. Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

I've felt there was a lot of opportunity to discover what you enjoyed most about Project Management due to the amount of changes in placements; I was grateful for 12 month placements as I felt that gave me time to really trial the role.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?

Explore all apprenticeship choices (lots of different degree schemes), be prepared to proactively go after opportunities, say yes to everything.