Apprentice Mechanical Designer Review

I have just been reassigned to a new department on a special project which requires me to use my skills learnt from previous placements such as; Producing engineering sketches, producing accurate design diagrams, meeting with other departments and learning from them, visiting the boat to assess what i'm planning coinsides with the current build stage, using the company's intranet, successfactors to book on courses which would be beneficial to my work, liase with the project leader and keep regular contact to stay up to date. My current role really is to plan and implement a discharge and sampling process for an activity being carried out by an external company so that when the company and BAE interface, it deconflicts and reduces the possiblity of erroneus scenarios as well as doing a job to a high standard.

I have learnt masses of skills and developments whilst in BAE, communication skills are number 1 because without it nobody knows whats going on, i make it my aim to be as clear and as consise as possible regarding certain jobs or conversations etc. Self-management/Organisation, in this new role i am fairly independant on the work i do so i have to manage my time accordingly due to the high number of meetings and activities i'm required to attend, i'm currently doing this very well and feel comfortable when the pressure is put on us to produce things quickly as i have plans in place to catch up or get ahead.

Massivley, as a person i feel i am growing each day in knowledge and personal confidence, when i first started at BAE i would'nt have dreamed of being were i am now on this placement and the opportunities it is giving me is amazing.

Very! through verbal communications frequently i am told about how well i am doing and if i ever need anything to just give them a shout, officialy through BRAG reports and such like i recieved amazing feedback and my manager communicated me this face to face. Always feel valued here.

Very organised, i have an apprentice co-ordinator who keeps in touch and explains everything clearly and i know exactly where i am in my apprenticeship.

Alot. I have been offered one to one tuition if required when attending college to study my BTEC ND, also regarding my NVQ 3, my apprentice coordinator is very helpful and supports me through each phase.

Alot, i always recieve feedback from my employer regarding college and they are very pleased with how i am doing, i can just email the capability team and they will sort out any query regarding training.

It is brilliant in comparison with the national minumum apprenticeship, in terms of what we do here as apprentices i think that the salary is fair.

Yes, i have been invited to a business meal with the team and the external contacting company to meet and greet them and introduce ourselves as we will be working with them for a substantial amount of time and on a critical job. There are sports opportunities, STEM ambassador programmes and trips.

Yes

It is a career path where you are encouraged to grow, you arent seen as a number, and you have the opportunites to make your career whatever you want. the support is fantastic and the workplace is brilliant. The pay is brilliant compared with national minimum averages and the job satisfaction is amazing when you see a submarine leave barrow. Also when you get to meet the navy who operate the boat, the stories you hear make you so much more dedicated to doing your job to the best of your abiility.

Research the areas in which BAE operates, we don't just build submarines, we design and build fighter jets, maintain commercail jet liners electronics, research new engineering techniques etc etc. Also find out where we operate in the world and what each branch does. Keep yourself organised, join team events, create more opportunities for yourself and keep focused. Set yourself targets and strive to achieve them.