Legal Compliance Apprentice Review

I work in the Legal function, specifically in compliance. My role is very varied and includes work on Data Protection, Diversity & Inclusion, Ethics, Personal Injury Claims and auditing as well as general compliance.

Since starting my apprenticeship I have achieved a qualification in internal auditing and completed internal training in data protection, inclusion and export control. I have attended numerous conferences and workshops relating to my role and become an active member or different company networks and forums. I have developed my communication and organisational skills and learned how to do things like deliver presentations to our Managing Director, which I never would have been able to do before. My confidence in my ability and self has sky rocketed since starting my apprenticeship, both inside and outside of work.

The expectations I had for my apprenticeship have truly been exceeded and it has given me more than I could have imagined. I work as part of a small team which means that I have a lot of support and a director who is very active in my development. I have got involved in networks and forums that are separate to my day job and as a result met people who have similar interests and mind sets to me. Before I started my apprenticeship I had envisaged myself with a job to pay the bills but now I have a career and the ambition to excel it.

The respect and recognition that I have had from full time colleagues during my apprenticeship has been brilliant. I was concerned before beginning the scheme that I would be treated as a child and not taken seriously but that could not have been further from the truth. I now sit on our business Diversity & Inclusion council with senior business members and regularly attend meetings with directors and people at group level, I have never felt that I've not been listened too but that my opinion is valued and that people are interested in what I have to say.

Where I have had a very positive experience, largely due to a very supportive manager and director, I am aware that other people have not had a similar experience due to the lack of structure in the business apprentice scheme. It is a relatively new scheme in our business unit and does not have the structure or organisation that the engineering scheme has. There was no induction to the business and site when I joined the company and I was given no support other than that from my line manager who at the time was a director that was based in a different location. The setting up of IT systems and training accounts took weeks and months.

I do not feel that I have received any support from my training provider. Aside from completing assignments and professional discussions with my assessor I have not received any support.

I have a very supportive line manager and director who put me forward for all available opportunities and I know that if I have any problems that they will help me or find someone who can. I have only experience positivity in the support given to me by other colleagues as an apprentice, all employees seem keen to help me develop.

As I live in the local area my costs are covered. However, the salary would not be enough for an apprentice who needed to relocate. I am fortunate enough to live with my parents at present but I will not be able to afford to move out until I'm on a full time wage. I'm well aware that the apprentice salary at BAE is much more generous than at other companies.

There are sometimes opportunities available outside of work but they are not frequent. There are charity events such as quizzes that are help outside of working hours but all employees are encouraged to attend. We have also taken part in initiatives such as the Big Build which was a project where we went to an under privileged area and renovated a children's play area and youth centre. These are always good opportunities for networking and meeting people outside of your normal team.

Yes

I often recommend BAE Systems to people that I know are looking for a new job. The opportunities that I have had so far and know I will continue to have are fantastic. For someone at the start of their career it is a brilliant name to have on your CV, if you ever choose to leave!

My advice to someone applying to BAE Systems would be to emphasise your transferrable skills in your application. There is a strong emphasis put on working cross functionally in this business, so showing that you are adaptable and versatile can only be a good thing. As with all interviews and group assessments, ensure that you are memorable and make a good impression. The most important advice I would give would be to read about the company and our products, structure and history. I truly believe that main reason I got in to my current position was for my enthusiasm and interest in what we do.