Rating

9.8/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • I am a completing an apprenticeship in business management. We are placed into functions such as Procurement, Commercial and Finance where we undertake 5 placements which are roughly 5 months each. I am a Procurement apprentice and I am currently in my second placement. I come into contact with a variety of people, ranging from suppliers to buyers and engineers. I will also hopefully have a chance to visit an RAF base to meet the customer and supplier. I am responsible for placing purchase orders and also managing buyers. I do all this whilst balancing my NVQ work and my involvement in other apprenticeship extra curriculum activities such as the local and national apprentice and the German Exchange. With the German Exchange I will visit Germany for 3 weeks to work in a partner company whilst also hosting a German Apprentice in my placement here in the UK.

    9/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • Yes, loads! By the end of my apprenticeship I will have completed a NVQ level 3 in Business Management and Administration. As part of the NVQ Course I will gain a BTEC level 3 qualification in Project Management. I have attended numerous courses teaching me about Procurement both on and off site. I am currently training to become a STEM Ambassador which will allow me to go into schools and colleges promoting science, technology, engineering and maths. This will boost my public speaking skills and overall confidence whilst also providing me with high job satisfaction. During the Induction Week all the apprentices were taken on an Outward Bound week away which taught me the importance of communication and compromising. I also had the chance to teach others about skills such as orienteering and how to put up a tent. I have learnt how to behave in a workplace environment and how to develop and maintain professional relationships with both suppliers, customers and colleagues.

    10/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • I really enjoy the opportunity to earn a high wage whilst also learning important workplace skills, which will be essential when I complete my time. The team is very friendly and warm and there is a huge culture of inclusion - particularly for apprentices. Everyone is eager to help and support apprentices, whether that is giving advice about the nicest food in the canteen or how to use a complicated ordering system. Everyone feels proud to be apart of a company which helps to protect the United Kingdom and individual's freedom all over the world. The apprenticeship has definitely exceeded my expectations.

    10/10

  • 4. How valued do you feel by BAE Systems?
  • Extremely valued! We are constantly told how important apprentices are for the company and how we are the future leaders of BAE Systems. It is encouraging to think that some of the top directors started their careers as apprentices - it just proves how much worth the business places onto apprenticeships. We are regularly given feedback about our progress and there are lots of opportunities to be recognised, for example, the end of year awards, National Apprentice Award and Above and Beyond Awards.

    10/10

  • 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • The 2 week Induction to the company is very useful and gives us a good insight into the company. There are regular meetings with assessors to discuss your NVQ work or any other things that you wish to talk about. Managers freely give you time to complete your NVQ coursework and they are happy to sign off the witness statements. I have applied to have a mentor and that should be in place shortly. Team hierarchy is clear and tasks are regularly delegated. There are deadlines to reach with the NVQ work and these are laid out clearly so that we can plan our work accordingly.

    9/10

  • 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
  • The assessors are always willing to sit down and discuss my progress and my coursework. If it is not possible to meet face-to-face then we can communicate via a Skype call or through email. There are also frequent drop in sessions which I find very useful. The assessors are always supportive and welcoming and you feel that they are pleased to see and help us. I enjoy my NVQ work because it feels relevant to my day to day work.

    10/10

  • 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • My team is very supportive and helpful. The apprentice HR team are always willing to help and support us with any general HR queries or if we want to organise and host our own events, for example, during national apprentice week. Even though my manager is very busy she always finds time in her packed diary to sit down and go over things with me, which is something that I am very grateful for.

    10/10

  • 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
  • We are paid a high apprentice salary that increases regularly. This is based on both performance and length of service. I live at home and my wage easily covers my board, holidays, daily costs, savings and travel costs. We also get the chance to pay into a shares scheme which is a great way to save.

    10/10

  • 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
  • Loads! There are extra curriculum activities such as the German Exchange, Prince's Trust and the World Skills Event. Apprentice's are encouraged to become STEM ambassadors, to volunteer for the local and national apprentice council and also with the union. Plenty of opportunities to volunteer with local charities and schools and there are apprentice recruitment events are also another way to get involved.

    10/10

  • 9. Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • Excellent training and chances of getting a job, fab pay and benefits package, lovely people, high job satisfaction, opportunities to travel both abroad and locally and the knowledge that your work is benefiting the UK.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
  • Spend time on the application and check for spelling and grammar mistakes. Make sure that you have researched the company and their products for the interview. Go in to the interview confident but not cocky - you've done just as well as everyone else there to get an interview. Take all the experiences that you can and volunteer for loads of different events.


Details

Level 3 Apprenticeship

Engineering

North West

March 2017


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