Trainee Quantity Surveyor Review

What my role involves on a day-to-day basis changes every 3-6 months, as I undertake placements in different departments. This is a real strength of the programme; you get exposure to many different areas of the business. My day can involve going to team meetings, liaising with suppliers, placing orders and even talking to a group a visiting local school pupils about careers at BAE Systems.

I have developed by communication skills further, learning to talk to people at all levels of the organisation and at suppliers. As this is my first job in a large company, I have greatly developed my basic business knowledge and acumen.

I enjoy the programme very much. All my colleagues have been extremly supportive, always willing to help me learn. There is a good Early Careers community.

I feel extremely valued by BAE Systems, from the first week of the programme I was invited to team meetings and asked my opinion on current business tasks. BAE Systems employees value having a trainee on placement with them.

My programme is extremely well organised. I was consulted in putting together my placement plan to make sure that I get a good overview of the different parts of my function and how we interface with other functions/programmes.

Good support. They understand the challenge of working and studying part-time and make allowances for that. They try to meet our personal and professional development needs, working with industry to keep the course relevant.

You have a great support network from the start at BAE Systems, with a Line Manager in Early Careers who can support you with any personal/pastoral issues, a functional manager who supports your function-specific development and a Placement Point of Contact who guides you on a day-to-day basis in each placement.

Very well. I think BAE Systems' Higher Apprentice starting salary is generous and there's the opportunity to increase your salary depending on your performance each year. Higher Apprentices can access all the company benefits open to other employees including, a good pension scheme, Share Incentive Plan and various company discounts. My training annd transport to and from University are fully-funded.

There are a huge amount of opportunities outside of work, within my first six months I was asked to join a team of colleagues doing a sponsored charity event and Early Careers have a Social Committee who organise regular social events.

Yes

BAE Systems give you the opportunity to get exposure to a world-leading business and support you to become a business professional in your chosen area. The support offered by the Early Careers team is second-to-none and the whole company values and embraces apprentices.

Research the company (our website is a good place to start) and attend all the open days/visits you get invited to. When you attend these events make sure you ask the current trainees lots of questions. It's a really good way to find out more about the roles and impress at the interview!