Aircraft maintenance Review

Year 1 consisted of classroom and workshop sessions. We worked through a number of the EASA CAT A modules with both practical and theory sessions and completed end of module exams. Year 2 was on the job training at RAF Coningsby. Here we completed out 'hands on' phase of training alongside completing our NVQ and EPA.

I have learnt a range of skills within both the engineering and aviation worlds. In both a theory/ technical and hand skills. My way of thinking and 'problem solving' has changed dramatically over the last two or so years to think about problems in a more technical manner.

I enjoyed my time throughout the apprenticeship a lot. The actual job/ training was great, the instructors were knowledgeable and approachable and always helped if you had an issue with the lessons. During year 2 you are placed within the maintenance facility with a team, who teach you throughout your NVQ and on the jet training. My team were fantastic and helped me grow massively as an engineer. Their knowledge and patience were phenomenal and I have had a lot of advice that I will take with me throughout my career.

Parts of the programme ran very smoothly, such as the first year accommodation and travel to work. However, once starting on base it became apparent that there was a lack of communication between various parties. For example, we had to wait weeks for unescorted base passes to be sorted, meaning we had great difficulty getting onto base to start work for the first few weeks. Once on base we had to wait two to three months for access to the tech documentation programme as the forms to grant us access hadn't been completed. The final three months of the apprenticeship were hectic as we were passed from pillar to post regarding jobs at the end of the apprenticeship. With the outcome being changed from week to week. We were sent to interview for jobs roles we weren't qualified for and pressured into taking jobs we hadn't trained for. With one discussion taking place the week before Christmas leave telling us we didn't have a job from the 9th of Jan. We had numerous meetings and interviews without any proper outcomes which ultimately caused a lot of undue stress. To top this off they moved our EPA interviews forwards 2-3 months with little warning resulting in only 2-3 weeks to prepare rather than the pre agreed time frame. Resulting in many people rushing NVQ completion and EPA documents. When the academy or recruitment had been contacted for further details or advice we weren't replied to and felt we had no one to turn to at an important part of our apprenticeship.

Most people I have crossed paths with throughout my apprenticeship have been wonderful and helped in every way possible whether it be their job or not. However, there have been a couple who i have felt aren't particularly suited for the roles they are in due to un-approachability, lack of care and forceful behaviour as they are of a higher grade than us. At times I felt extremely pressured to make decisions regarding jobs with lack of knowledge and understanding just so a box could be ticked. This lead to immense stress, and at no point were we contacted by our line manager or academy to discuss these issues or how we were coping with the situation- making us feel left in the dark.

The instructors at the academy were great and always on hand to help with any issues. Our second year assessor- [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] was amazing! i couldn't fault him in any way possible. He was approachable at any time, made a great effort to drag us all through the NVQ and was just there whenever we needed someone to talk to. He really is a credit to BAE.

The EASA CAT A qualification is great to have and provides us with a great stepping stone if we were to approach a civilian company. However, Working on military jets a lot of what you learn first year can be slightly irrelevant. Second year really homes in jet specific knowledge and sets you up well for a military jet career.

We had multiple extra curriculum activities. Including a day with the red arrows, a visit from the typhoon display team pilot. Trip to Eastern Airways and Base trips to RAF Coningsby and RAF Leeming.

Yes

For the most part the apprenticeship is fantastic. The opportunities are brilliant for an apprenticeship with the added bonus of first year accommodation being paid for so you can really focus on the exams. It was let down by a few individuals and how poorly we were treated in the final months. For what could be an incredible apprenticeship the communication issues and a few individuals has lowered my final satisfaction. To have had over 50 cohorts been through the course, you'd believe these issues would have been ironed out already. However, these are all issues that arise with most, if not every cohort. These should be seriously looked into.

The security process takes a while- that's normal. Expect problems along the way but make friends with your cohort. Having a team with you through these issues really helps.