Software Engineer Apprentice Review

Implementing software solutions for our products within a team of approx. 8. Interacting on a daily basis with the rest of my team and project lead to colloborate effectively. As an apprentice I also get involved with our STEM outreach, taking up roles on our Work Experience team and on our Flying Start Challenge committee - a STEM outreach programme for Yr7-9 students in the South West & Midlands.

I began my apprenticeship with very little knowledge of Software Engineering - no prior experience working within a software team either. This enabled me to learn from other professionals I am working alongside, with all parts of the software lifecycle - from development to quality assurance. The STEM outreach projects further improve my confidence, communication skills and team work.

The variety of roles and responsibilities within my program, along with the interactions with various colleagues across the business, means I thoroughly enjoy the programme at MBDA. It also helps that I really enjoy programming and its a major component of my role, which is further improved on with the various miscellaneous things I get to take part in.

The programme is very well structured, with a vast support structure in place as I'll go on to mention. The scheme provides apprentices with 6 month placements with many available for apprentices to choose from over their 4 years. There's also further development / support opportunities in place such as Gen Healthy Minds (bi-weekly sessions for the 6 months discussing important topics surround mental health, imposter syndrome and all sorts of other bits important to consider). In addition, there are two residentials 1 week in duration where apprentices go and learn team-building skills, and develop their confidence.

It's very well structured, starting with a vast support structure in place for all apprentices. The Early Careers Programs team provides all Apprentices with a HR facing contact who's able to support apprentices with any questions they might have, followed by Technical Co-ordinators - in place to support Apprentices with the technical aspects of their placements but also responsible for having Monthly catch-ups to raise any feedback or concerns we may have. They also help apprentices find their next placements - tailored to the apprentice so that we can get the best opportunities for our own development. You are also assigned a buddy from before you join - this buddy in the year above is there for any silly questions and general support - as they've already been there done that.

The training provider and MBDA have meetings every 8 weeks where they check-in with how things are going on my apprenticeship. The training provider also supports us with our academic writing by providing the option for 121 support sessions via the HEART team. Lecturers are very supportive and are there to answer any questions during classes. They are also very prompt on responding to feedback.

Often the qualification teaches us methods or ways of thinking that aren't implemented in the workplace - this enables us to come into the office and question why we do things the way we do them, and often come up with improvements. But often I find this to be the other way around - and the more challenging work environment makes University projects much less challenging as we've already delt with much harder problems in our day job.

Yes, there are often work socials that we're involved in. I was fortunate to be able to attend a few professional networking events in my time at MBDA so far. Including attending "The Big Apprentice Meetup" in London, run by the Association of Apprentices as well as some other events. Other extracurriculars include my roles within the Work Experience Team and Flying Start Challenge as mentioned previously.

Yes

Because I enjoy my role, and the support in place is much greater than a lot of my friends receive in the traditional university route.

They aren't always looking for technical ability when hiring for apprenticeship roles - I'd really consider your ability to communicate, work with others, and passion for the field when applying for our roles.