Business Apprentice Review

Here at work, I am a Commercial Business Apprentice, and I have recently moved into my second placement within the business. Within my new placement I am working the estimating side of Commercial. This means that my day-to-day tasks involve me being able to create and produce estimates for various different topics that are relevant to my specific role. This means that I am responsible and trusted to produce different types of estimates with the help of my team and manager. I have meetings with various different people around the business, to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the estimates that I am creating are precise and accurate according to everyone's data. I am given a lot of responsibility within my placement to try and do activities and tasks myself, (after being briefed about it by my manager), which means that I am constantly learning and gaining various different skills and broadening my knowledge within my new role.

Since starting my apprenticeship in September I have definitely developed many skills! I started here at work straight from High School, so I didn't really know what to expect from the wold of work. I have really developed in terms of confidence at work, as I have really developed in terms of taking on big tasks that at first I found to be a little daunting. I have developed various skills on how to use the businesses internal systems and websites, as I had never been exposed to specific sites that the company have. I have been on various different training courses that have helped to build up a good skillset, I have been on courses such as; a Commercial Induction Training Course, an Induction to Estimating course, a driver safety and awareness course, as well as an export control awareness course. In such a small amount of time as an apprentice at BAE Systems, I have learn so much, I have learnt so much about the Contracts side of commercial, and took part in various different activities and tasks that really pushed me to gain so much experience and knowledge from my 5 months within the team. I have learnt about the various different processes and how we as a company work. I am currently a week into my second placement, and I have already learnt so much. I am new to estimating, and I have been taught all about the end-to-end estimating process and what each stage involves, as well as also launching my very first estimate.

I thoroughly enjoy my apprenticeship here at BAE Systems. The work is really interesting and the teams that I have been a part of have been incredible! The people I have worked with could not have offered more support, guidance and advice throughout my time! I have always had lots of work to be getting on with, and it has all been challenging from the beginning, but that's exactly what I need and expect as it is really important to push yourself from the start! The apprenticeship scheme has exceeded my expectations, as I have learnt so much in such a small space of time, and I have always really enjoyed what it is that I do!

I feel as though I am valued here at BAE Systems, everyone is so welcoming and inviting, and are always there to provide me with help and assistance if I ever require it! I get involved in everything that my manager does, and go along to any meetings that I can, not only to gain experience and knowledge, but also to help and be a valued and important member of the team!

I feel as though the apprenticeship scheme here at BAE Systems is extremely organised and structured. We have a 2 week induction prior to joining the business which involved getting a brief of everything we needed to know before entering the business. We are always being put forward for training courses that will benefit us as apprentices, to help us progress as much as we can. During our induction we were told all about our placements, how long each of them would be, as well as also being told when our college dates would be. During my first placement, it was one of my objectives to approach and secure a mentor, so a few weeks/months into my apprenticeship, I had a mentor, and she always provides me with career advice, suggestions and plans! My apprenticeship is extremely well organised, as I always know well in advance if and when I have any meetings/courses/college dates to attend.

I have received a lot of support from my assessor. She is always there if I have any queries about my apprenticeship, or work in general, and she is always extremely helpful! My assessor is easy to get into contact with, and she will always respond as soon as she can, and always provides as much support and guidance as she can.

Throughout my apprentice, I have always received an overwhelming amount of support from my managers! They always get me involved in as much as they can, and always push me to be my very best! My mentor has been really supportive throughout my time also, we have met up a few times, and she is really interested and keen to see how I am getting on, and seeing what my personal development plans are for the duration of my time, and provides as much support as she can to help me achieve my personal goals. Everyone is always more than happy to help and to give me as much guidance as they can.

Personally, I find that my salary is perfectly fine, as I am able to go about my everyday life, and I always find myself to have money spare at the end of the month.

At BAE Systems, there are so many opportunities for us to get involved in, such as STEM Ambassador events, as well as other things such as The Prince's Trust, and a German Exchange programme. We are always being informed about voluntary activities that we can get involved in outside of work such as helping to decorate a hospice, and helping within the community. However, I do find that due to my age (as I am under 18) I am restricted in terms of what I can apply for due to our Company safeguarding policies. So the opportunities that the Company provide are amazing, I would just like to be able to apply for them all!

Yes

I have found that during my apprenticeship that I have learnt so much! Being given the opportunity and experience to learn whilst I work in such a dynamic, and interesting industry, and constantly gaining more knowledge each day, I think that it is such an amazing apprenticeship scheme to get involved in!

I would say to really work hard on every stage of the application process, as if you go the whole way and get offered a place, BAE Systems can offered anyone such amazing opportunities and experiences that are really invaluable! I would say to prepare as much as possible and maybe even do a practice interview with family members, just to try and prepare for the real thing, as I found doing practice interviews to be extremely helpful!