Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

My day to day role involves me being involved in lots of customer deliverable projects, working alongside my colleagues from all different branches to ensure the final product is delivered on time. I am currently working within the Oman Engineering Integration Team, supporting the Oman customer. This means that I am involved in daily telecoms with employees who are out in country helping to resolve any issues, whilst also putting plans in place to prevent any issues from arising.

I have developed various different skills within the first 18 months of my apprenticeship at BAE Systems. I have already obtained an NVQ Level 2 in Engineering, whilst also being well on the way towards obtaining my NVQ Level 4. As part of the programme, I will also graduate from Lancaster University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. The opportunities I have been presented with during my apprenticeship have also allowed me to develop my soft skills. At BAE Systems there is an array of internal courses we are able to complete, such as Environmental Awareness courses, fire assessment courses and Health and Safety courses.

My programme offers me a lot more than I could have ever imagined as part of an apprenticeship. I have been made to feel extremely welcome by every member of the teams I have been involved in, whilst also being given roles with responsibilities at the same time. The culture within the business is one which provides the relevant support to apprentices but at the same time allows us the freedom to find out our own preferred way of working.

Extremely valued. The company makes me feel a valued part of their future as well as their present. Recognition is provided during our twelve week reviews when it is deserved, whilst, support and appreciation from our line managers is provided on a weekly basis.

The programme is organised in an excellent manner. An induction week is run right at the start which provides clear instructions for our time at BAE Systems. Communication between the workplace and university is clear and on a regular basis, meaning that there is rarely any confusion between the two.

Support provided by the University as part of our degree is excellent, communication between myself and my lectures takes place on a regular basis and they are always willing to help if and when a problem arises as part of the course.

Support provided by the workplace as part of our apprenticeship is excellent, communication between myself and my line managers takes place on a regular basis and they are always willing to help if and when a problem arises as part of the apprenticeship. I have been fortunate enough to get myself involved with some excellent members of staff at BAE Systems who have kindly offered to mentor me in the early stages of my career.

Brilliantly.

There is a wide range of opportunities/activities to get involved in outside of work. As an apprentice I like to get involved in the STEM events, promoting engineering to younger people. However, I have also been given the opportunity to get involved in voluntary activities, sponsored by the business.

Yes

The course offers a wide range of opportunities, as well as everything which I have listed above. It is a challenge, however, the rewards for working through the challenge make it all worth while. To be able to earn whilst I learn, obtain a degree which is paid for and finally five years work experience at the same time, for me its an opportunity which is just too good to turn down.

Ensure you take your time with your application and make sure that you are really selling yourself through it. If it helps, ask someone else to have a read through it, and see what they think.