Engineering Apprentice Review

My role at BAE Systems as an Engineering Apprentice is to help further my skills and engineering ability. I currently work mainly to do with the development of the Hawk Aircraft and all of the certification that comes with it. I help my colleagues with the engineering documentation and get to liaise with many other functions to do this. I get to attend lots of different reviews and meetings.

So far I am currently coming to the end of my Engineering National Diploma level 3, after this I will be moving on to my HNC. The company is very supportive with further education and will help push me as far as necessary. I have learnt no end of new skills whilst I did my first year training and also whilst doing on the job tasks. Having to speak to new people all the time has helped boost my confidence and overall ability to talk to people. Where necessary I have also been put on many internal training courses which helps aid my knowledge in the business.

When I started I had never met any of the apprentices I am now currently very good friends with. All of my colleagues are helpful and very understanding when I ask questions. Due to a lot of the employees being ex-apprentices themselves, they know what it is like to be in your position. The work is very interesting and always gives me a better understanding of the company and it's processes. It completely went beyond my expectations and I am very pleased I got the opportunity to do an apprenticeship with BAE Systems.

BAE Systems are a very rewarding company to work for. I always feel like a part of the team and I am treated well according to my ability. I have been given a lot of responsibility during my placements, working on my own projects, receiving constructive criticism to any issues and praise where it went well. You are an employee at BAE Systems and are made to feel like one as much as possible.

The program is well structured and is set out clearly to us. I spent my first year training, learning new engineering skills and then returned back to site where I commenced my on the job training, this consists of a number of 4 month placements covering multiple disciplines within the business to help me gain the maximum knowledge about the business and the skills that I require. If I need any support it is always given and my line managers are very helpful and responsive if I encounter any problems.

I received as much support as I needed by my training provider, all tutors are very helpful and will aid where possible. Due to my line manager being on site, it is easy to get in contact with him if I have any problems or need any support as he is in very close contact with our training provider. Training is to a very high standard with all health and safety covered well. All PPE provided. I very much enjoyed my first year in training and my current training with college work, etc.

My line manager/Trainer comes to see all the apprentices one to one almost every week, asking if we need any support or have any issues. He is very responsive and helpful. In all the placements I have been in the team have been very helpful and will guide me through all the work to the best of their ability so I can easily understand it. As the majority of employees have been apprentices before, they are very understanding towards your position.

The salary is very good for an Apprentice, I earn a good wage which goes up throughout my apprenticeship, it easily covers all of my living costs, including my car, rent, food, etc. It also means I have enough left to go out and enjoy myself most weekends and go shopping now and again. Even though for me, the site is a fair few miles away, I can still easily afford the fuel and BAE Systems will do whatever they can to help financially.

BAE Systems is a very good company for extra curricular activities, we are given many opportunities to go to schools and help promote the company, there are many clubs on site. and partner leisure facilities. My site is fairly close to supermarkets and general shops meaning anything I require is easily accessible. Whilst I was doing my first year I got to go on an outward bounds course with my colleagues to the Lake district which was very enjoyable. The company also encourages trips to other sites meaning I can see what some of the other functions get up to in the business.

Yes

BAE Systems is a fantastic company to work for with numerous benefits including shares schemes, good pension scheme, etc. I have gained some very valuable skills so far whilst working here and have had the opportunity to work on some very exciting projects. The training is to a very high standard and the company will help aid you in whatever way is possible.

When applying for BAE Systems, make sure your application is to a very high standard, check it for any mistakes and make sure it truly shows your abilities, make sure you spend enough time on it. During the interview you should dress appropriately and be confident, do some research on the company and remember what you have included in your application. Try be as organized and as prepared as you possibly can be.