Technical Apprentice Review

My role as a Technical Apprentice is to work in a different department of the business every 3/4 months, gain an understanding of what the departments role is with regards to the project and complete work for that department. In my current placement in R&M it is my role to update predictions on generic components, such as: diodes, switches, piping and AEA, this requires analysing data from in service data for the Hawk aircraft. The data is compiled onto spread sheets which need to be organised before any data can be assessed.

I have developed my skills on programmes such as Excel, learning new formulas and generally just working faster. I have also learnt how to use engineering judgement correctly to come to a justified decision with regards to an engineering query. This all counts towards my NVQ L3 gathering evidence to meet the criteria, a placement Log Book is filled out in order to complete all 7 units.

The programme as a whole is very good, however I am not enjoying my current placement as I don't feel like it stretches me enough, the work is dull and doesn't interest me, the team is mostly alright however the manager does not treat me like one of the team, there is a colleague who has been at the company for years and I am certain I could do his job better. the department however did meet my expectations because with a name like Reliability and Maintainability it was never going to really grasp my interest.

Overall I feel valued as an employee for BAE Systems, the training manager and our HR manager will do their upmost to make me feel so. I haven't received any recognition for any work I have done over and above, in some cases where other apprentices would get recognition on a job we have completed together. I get no appreciation from my manager of R&M

The programme is very well organised, with more than enough information and support, we have regular reviews with our training manager where we discuss progression and objectives, we are delegated tasks usually based on our skills. the hierarchy of management is basic and laid out wherever we go.

as an apprentice I attend 1 college day a week with HETA and currently I am working towards my HNC, the tutor is very helpful and has all the time and support for us. any tutor is easy to contact when not at college as they are just an email away. I do enjoy my college day as I like education and learning new things.

we receive a lot of support from our training manager as he visits once a week asking if there is anything we need, making sure we are keeping up with targets and asking about our general wellbeing. the HR team are very approachable especially when you have a problem as they will do anything in their power to support you.

Not Very well, I get by however. rent is expensive and finding somewhere cheap to live is very difficult, with petrol prices at a high the 35 mile round trip is getting more costly, I go without tea most days and have resorted to a credit card to help me get by.

there are plenty of opportunities outside of work, as an educational ambassador I occasionally go into schools/ colleges or along to events to discuss the benefits of the apprenticeship scheme, introduce kids into the world of engineering and sometimes completing activities (usually with the younger children). I really enjoy this and would say this is my favourite part of the job as it is the closest thing to a customer facing job I can get in the company.

Yes

Fantastic benefits, the money isn't too bad for a school leaver, there are so many opportunities if you wanted to work abroad, the qualifications gained are better than most with the opportunity to continue onto a degree.

Be yourself, make sure your application stands out from the rest, express your interest in the company and the work they do, research the company. in the interview it is important to stay calm and at the end ask any questions that will make the interviewer thing you are interested.