Supply Chain Higher Apprentice Review

by BAE Systems

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

5.2/10

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

Supply chain higher apprentice - transactional procurement involves taking purchase requisitions to RFQ's receiving quotes and taking to PO. Daily communication via email and/or phone to suppliers.

7/10

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

I have learnt lots of new skills on how to use material requirement planning software e.g. SAP, Teamcenter and general procurement skills.

8/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the variety of experiences that the programme offers with having six placements each with a duration of six months provides a great insight into the different areas of the business.

7/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Organisation could be improved as it is left quite last minute in terms of finding out where our placements will be and placement manager contacts etc.

5/10

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

It differs from placement to placement. However I receive little support when I was going through exams and no support when I was having challenges in one particular placement. I made people aware of how unhappy I was in a certain team and nothing was done until after I took time off. Felt like I wasn't being listened to.

2/10

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

No support from CIPS when asking for revision material for exams. The one training session received per exam wasn't useful as tutor read straight from text book.

2/10

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

CIPS has given me a lot of knowledge and understanding in regards to general supply chain information and supplier relationships but would be more beneficial if it was more specific to the function that our business falls under.

6/10

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.)

There is an annual apprentice ball at Christmas and events ran by the LHAC.

5/10

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

Yes

9b. Why?

Offers lots of different opportunities to get involved in different teams and different areas of the business. The pay is very competitive and getting a qualification without the uni fees is fantastic.

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

Have a good read of the job description and what you could be getting involved in. Do some research into BAE and the history and future plans for the business.