apprentice Review

I am an apprentice engineer at BAE systems, sub contracted to Magellan aerospace. BAE do all of my training and any hands on work I do at Magellan Aerospace. I am a CNC operator, I load and set jobs onto 3, 4 and 5 axis milling machines. I do a variety of different types of components, all of the work we complete at Magellan is for other companies.

I have learnt many, many skills in the engineering industry, far too many to name, I started with very little experience and now I am confident working on many types of engineering from fitting to fabricating, not just machining

The programme itself is good and has enough work to keep you busy and occupied, however machining does not seem to be what I want to do for a full career

Although I am subcontracted to BAE and mainly work for Magellan, I do feel that BAE do try their very best to make everybody's experience a valuable one and I cannot fault them for this.

I started in the first year of "EOP" which is the subcontracting apprenticeship so a lot of things were still in the works and trail and error to begin with. Things have progress and everything seems to be in order. Moving to the new college location next year with better facilities.

I have a 12 week review which always takes place, my assessor will go through all the relevant checks to ensure I am safe, enjoying my work place and to make sure I am keeping up to date with what I should be. I can always have more support if I feel I need it, I have my assessors phone number if I need to contact him in a work emergency.

My employers are as helpful as possible, they always find the time to help me if I'm struggling in any way. The HR team (woman) at Magellan aerospace is fantastic, she really cares about the growth and well-being of apprentices

Being on an apprenticeship I cannot complain as I am meeting my weekly outgoings and still learning at the same time, however I find my wage would not be sufficient if I was to live alone.

I have so far only had the one out-of-work opportunity, which was to go to the house of commons and speak to some MP's about the apprenticeship scheme I'm on; similar to answering these questions.

Yes

Absolutely, BAE pay very good wages, take care of all of their employee's and are a growing profitable business in a very important market sector which will continue to grow.

Try to cool your nerves before the interview, Practice with mechano (I believe I just missed out on BAE's apprenticeship because I failed miserably at the manual dexterity test)