Production Control Review

As a business apprentice you work though 5 different placements currently I am in the production control team working on cost reporting, this involves reporting on all the costs that each team have spent each week.

In my apprenticeship I have learnt and developed alot of skills. I think the main skill I have developed is my confidence because you are encouraged to go and do things on your own and are really trusted with the jobs you are given. We've been to college course for excel and project management which I think really helped me develop useful skills which I apply in my job everyday such as excel skills. I've also been on internal training courses such as ELLA which teaches you how to work better as a team.

I really enjoy my apprenticeship programme. You are always given work which is valuable your never given rubbish jobs like photocopying you have a proper role. The teams you work in always have lots of time for you they help you out if you have any problems and are really welcoming and friendly - most people I have worked with were an apprentice themselves so they know how you feel and really make an effort with you. The company itself is an amazing company to work for and you get to take lots of great opportunities. All in all I think my apprenticeship so far has been amazing I've enjoyed it much more than I thought I would before I started!

As an apprentice I feel very valued by BAE Systems I think they recognise that we are the future of the company so they invest alot of time into making sure we get the most out of our apprenticeships. I've always felt appreciated from my managers and been involved in everything the teams do. You also get recognised for hard work for example I was invited to the apprentice awards which was a really enjoyable night!

I think my apprenticeship programme is well structured, we had a week and a half induction at the training school which prepared us to go off into our roles comfortably I think it would have been really intimidating if we didn't get an induction and just went straight into working. We get training internally and externally which we can apply to our roles. We are given plenty of support from our managers and our assessors at the training school with our NVQs or if we have any other issues.

We receive lots of support from the training school. My assessor is always willing to help me out if I am struggling with anything and always makes time in her diary if I want to see her.

I receive alot of support from my manager. You are given time in work to do NVQ work and they are always happy to help you with any problems you have. I have a 1:1 with my manager so they can make sure your happy with how the works going.

I think my salary is really good for my age. I have enough money to pay for my car to get to work and still be able to afford to do other things.

There are lots of things you can get involved in outside of work such as the princes trust, German exchange, local voluntary work, sports activities (football, netball etc.) Personally, I have been involved in careers fairs, organising take your sons and daughters to work day, awards evenings, I became a STEM ambassador and outward bound which is a week residential stay in the lake district which all apprentices go on.

Yes

I would recommend BAE Systems to a friend because I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as an apprentice and I think it gives you lots of amazing opportunities.

My advice to others applying to BAE Systems would be to take alot of time with your application form make sure you've put as much as you can into it. Before your interview read up on what BAE Systems actually do as it is a huge company with sites all over the world. And when you start take every opportunity you can.