Fitting apprentice Review

My role as an apprentice aircraft fitter includes manufacturing of different parts of the hawk aircraft by carrying out tasks such as drilling holes, cutting and shaping materials and installing fasteners such as rivets, bolts etc.

During my apprenticeship I have learnt new skills such as how to read drawings, processes and specifications properly as well as learning how to install a variety of fasteners and use a variety of hand and power tools such as, slitters, grinders, nibblers and cropping machines. I have also developed skills such as drilling holes, filing and using saws.

I really enjoy this programme I am on. The type and variety of work is excellent, other employees that I have worked with have been very helpful towards helping me developing and overall the programme has exceeded my expectations.

At BAE systems I definitely feel valued; everyone does their best to include you. There is contact and appreciation from managers when necessary and with the employee recognition scheme where anyone can nominate anyone it is clear people are recognised for their efforts.

This programme is very well organised/structured. When we started it was clear there was a set programme in place, the training we are receiving is great and also the support we receive is excellent with 12 weekly reviews and always someone to speak to if there is a problem.

I receive a lot of support from my training provider; it is always possible to access them for support, guidance, advice or whatever it may be. They also have walk round on a regular basis to see make sure everything is fine. They are very focused on us doing well which is excellent.

The support from my employer is also very good; managers always cater for your needs while managing the jobs very well. They are always free if there are any problems at all you need addressing and are willing to offer all the support and guidance necessary.

My salary more than caters for my needs; it is a very good wage for an apprenticeship. Living fairly close keeps my travel costs down and I always have enough to do what I want socially within that month of pay.

There are many opportunities outside of work. Some of these include career evenings presenting apprenticeships to younger people, STEM events and fund raisers. There are also opportunities to get involved in sports such as 5-a-side football.

Yes

Because they deliver a great apprenticeship where you develop skills for a job in the future, they pay a good wage at apprenticeship level and full time employment and also they do a good job with things such as safeguarding etc.

For others applying at BAE systems I would suggest making sure you know what the company is about i.e. the products they make, amount of people they employ etc. Also I would recommend documenting anything you have done in the past such as projects.