Technician Apprentice Review

I am an engineering apprentice, I do one day a week in college working towards my BTEC, and three days a week in the workshop on different areas to reach my NVQ. I am currently completing my specialisation, where I am being trained to become a technician. Day to day activities vary greatly, one day I could be doing CAD and others I could be taking pieces on and off of aircraft.

I have developed many skills, I have become better at the practical side of things through doing 10 weeks on the fitting section carrying out multiple assessments. I have learnt lots in collage and will soon be working on getting my HNC.

I love where I work. the people are really friendly and you always fell safe. I believe I have made lots of progression since I started the course and I am looking forward to putting it into practical use in the business.

I feel extremely valued by BAE systems, I receive lots of feedback on all tasks that I complete and constructive criticism where it is needed. |I always felt fully involved in any projects/ tasks that we had to complete.

As a whole the programme has been very well structured. From the very beginning of the programme we were given a schedule and that is how it has been run. we knew what we were going to be doing for the full apprenticeship from day one.

There was always full support from the trainers, if you had any issues with completing the work they were ready to help you improve so that you could complete the task. they always provided valuable feedback on the write ups for each task that we had to complete.

I received full support all the way through, any issues were quickly solved by the staff. All the staff have a very positive attitude and are willing to help at all times.

The first year apprentice wage meets all of the costs for me, but does leave it tight. but as I progress through and the wage increases this will not be an issue. But in general the wage package is extremely good for an apprenticeship.

There are multiple opportunity's outside of work,two of my friends were taken down to London to watch a conference where a team of apprentices had developed a project. All the apprentices in older years say they have travelled to various places through BAE Systems.

Yes

It is a company that always looks after there employees with an outstanding training regime. They fully develop you into a skilled worker which can be transferable, where as other apprenticeships may just train you for one specific role and that's what you are stuck doing for the rest of your life.

Learn about the company. If you get an interview then study up. Make sure you know about the area of work you are going into and what products they make etc.