Nuclear Trainee Review

My role involves moving around on 3 to 6 month placements in different departments around the business to gain an understanding of what they do and how they fit into the various programmes currently running. Day-to-day activities include attending relevant meetings, shadowing and helping engineers alread in the department, and undertaking projects to improve certain tasks.

I have definitely developed lots of new skills since starting the Trainee scheme in 2013. I have learned how to create documents as well as classify them, how to correctly operate the tools needed for manual tasks, and how to follow and processes correctly. I have also developed many of my existing skills such as teamwork, confidence, and commuitcation skills which, I feel, have been helped by the large size of the company and the amount of people i have to liase with on a regular basis.

I am currently very much enjoying my programme. It allows me to be involved with some of the best engineering in the world and I get to see the output of this and how it benefits us. I particularly enjoy the range of work which I am able to get involved in, whether thatbe one of the main programmes within the company or with my peers on similar programmes.

I feel as though BAE Systems values me as an empoyee as I recieve most of the benefits of the other staff, and even some befnefits which other employees don't get. I also have a very good support structure in place for me if ever I need it which makes me feel valued. Even though I generally feel valued by the company, some people do not understand the different schemes which sometimes leeds to negative behaviour from a small number of people.

My programme has different functions within it. Some of these are very new and un-organised with respect to their management structure and support available. My function (Nuclear) is one of the longest running in the business and because of this is very structured. It is well organised, but the scheme is constantly under self-review and we are improving the organisation of ourselves all of the time. The programme overall is well run and organised, but possibly under-resourced which lets it down.

Most of my training comes from my education outside of the workplace. This currently comes in the form of a HNC at college and an NVQ level 4. I have tutors which can support me at college even though they don't have a lot of time and sometimes don't understand any problems I may have. The support i recieve from my NVQ assessor is excellent and I get lots of support from him regularly.

I revieve a lot of support from the business as there are lots of people available to support me if I need, whether that be my placement manager, my function manager, my line manager, or my mentor. There is also a specialist company helpline to call if required for any additional support.

The salary i revieved upon starting was very good for a starting wage, and for someone coming straight from sixth form. My salary gets increased every 6 months depending on my performance which makes the salary very appealing. I also recieve many benefits such as the company pension and shares programmes. I am easily able to meet my costs from my salary.

There are lots of opportunities outside of work which are mainly olunteering projects from giving presentations to schools/colleges to helping at community events. The company encourages these activities and even allows some time within work to work on these.

Yes

There are so many opportunities in whatever type of job a person would want, there are very good progression opportunities available, and even though there is very important work to be done most people are very light-hearted and have fun with their job.

Research into all aspects of BAE Systems from submarines to planes to intelligence and also all of the different locations of the businesses. Like most places; A good attitude and a willingness to learn are very important.