Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprentice Review

As a first year, we work across multiple sections within our training building, where we learn different manual and technical skills. These can range from heat treatment and electronics to software and CAD. We work 4 days a week, 3 days on section and 1 day at college.

I have learnt many new skills such as soldering, carbon fibre handling, software skills and filing. BAE also helped me to improve my existing knowledge of electronics and aircraft construction.

I enjoy my work as it gives me a chance to improve myself as a person as well as improving my skills, the work is challenging but help is available and any teacher is happy to help if you ask.

The program is well structured and apprentices can see what work they will be completing for the whole year; however, the way it is organised can leave some information out and we only find out at the last minute or when it is retroactively changed. Apprentices can sometimes feel a bit out of the loop but most issues can be worked out by talking to coaches

We get a lot of support from our coaches; they are very open to talking about any issues you may have in or out of work. The support for any work is very good but they will not hold your hand through every question. There are many on site facilities available to apprentices that deal with occupational and mental health that are always there if we need it.

Our college tutors will help us with our work, some a lot more than others, but if there are any major issues in learning, they will all do their best to help you understand the work and give you pointers on how to complete it, as well as where to look for extra resources.

Our engineering qualifications will help us within any design or fault finding roles due to the good base of physics, maths and chemistry it gives us. We also do a health and safety qualification which is applicable anywhere in the workplace and allows us to understand the legislation around the different aspects of health and safety at work.

There are some societies that allow apprentices to join but they are company or function wide. Apprentices can and do form their own groups outside of work and can do extra curricular activities after work; however, these are not affiliated with BAE.

Yes

BAE is a great company to work for and the support for their employees is amazing. The work will challenge you to be better but is also very rewarding when it is completed.

Research the job role thoroughly and start looking at some aspects of the college work beforehand so you don't get overwhelmed.