Apprentice Electrical Designer Review

I am an apprentice electrical designer. I work on 2D and 3d modelling and drawings for electrical systems for both the Atsute and the Sucessor submarine programmes.

Yes, I have learnt how to use different CAD packages to produce components and output drawings. I have also had valuable experience in BAE understanding how they operate and the procedures that are in place for different working areas.

I enjoy it a lot. I constantly undertake work that benefits my team and the company. It is valuable to see that the work that you do is needed and will be used. It make you feel as though your a valuable asset to the company.

Extremely. As long as you are competent enough the team leave you to get on with the work you have been delegated. It makes you feel as though you are a valued employee of the company and builds confidence up enough to do the job and learn new skills.

It is very well organised. Before I started I was given a breakdown of how the apprenticeship works and the qualifications that I will complete during my time in the apprenticeship.

The training providers are always on hand when needed. They often give you feedback to the work you have completed and how you are getting on within the apprenticeship. Should you have any questions they are always on hand to answer them.

I receive a lot of support, there are many ways in which to get help. These can be directly from your boss or from the intranet site. There are many reward processes in the company which recognise good and hard work.

For an apprenticeship, and compared to other similar apprenticeships the wage is very good. The company can be slow when the wage increases are coming into place, the current one being 2 months late. This is the only dissappointment of being promised a wage increase and not receiving it until a couple of months later.

Yes there are many opportunities to become apart of. There are STEM ambassadors and Apprentice councils that you can become apart of. There are often opportuinites to meet staff outside of work to go on walks, nights out, meals, play sports etc. An example being the 5-a-side football tournament.

Yes

The apprenticeship is well structured and organised. The skills and experience you gain is extremely useful for the job that you will be doing. The apprenticeship is also well paid and there are many benefits of being a BAE Systems employee.

Do not be disheartened if you do not get accepted into the company. As this is a very well organised and paid apprenticeship many applicants have to be turned away from an apprenticeship place. If you do not get in, use the year to gain experience and try again the next year.