Technical Apprentice Review

I am a 3rd year Technical Apprentice here at BAE Systems. I work on the QPM (Quality Production and Manufacturing Engineering) Displays Team supporting the Workshop and making sure it continues to run smoothly. As a part of my job I have to work with a number of people with in many different roles. I liaise with the test technicians on shop floor, the project teams on the products I work on, Drawings Office and many more in order to ensure that everything needed to keep the product moving is happening. As well as my work role, I also co-chair the Local Apprentice Council (LAC) and have a seat on the National Apprentice Council (NAC). These roles provide me with the opportunity to attend meetings with the goal of improving the apprenticeship for all and it allows me to learn and hone skills such as; communication, networking, team briefing.

BAE has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and new skills. I have completed a BTEC and am currently undertaking a HNC, both covering Electronics Engineering. This apprenticeship with BAE Systems has helped me to develop my technical knowledge and interpersonal skills, but most importantly it has provided me with great confidence in self.

Starting at BAE is probably the best decision I have ever made! I had no idea what to expect when I started, but I could never have predicted how much of a great experience it has been. Starting with such a large company, I came in to it thinking that it would take years for my voice to be heard; but nothing could be further from the truth. The team are brilliant they have fully encouraged and supported my development throughout and genuinely listen when I have anything to say. It is a wonderful environment to work in.

As you can probably guess by the way the rest of the answers to these questions have gone so far, this one is going to be a yes. I am approaching the end of my apprenticeship and looking forward to continue to work for a company that highly values not just me, but all of it's employees.

The Advanced Technical Apprenticeship here at the Rochester site of BAE Systems is a 3 year programme. The first week you have an introduction to the company and get to know the apprentices that you'll be seeing an awful lot of over the coming 3 years. Following this you spend a year off-site at a training centre where you learn the basic skills you'll need to know, such as electronics testing, fault finding, soldering, CAD and bench work. Then you're back up to site. Year 2 is spent doing placements around the site to give you a taste of what working for BAE will be like. These placements are 6 - 8 weeks long (so they're not long, but long enough to give you a little taste and see if that department is for you). Year 3, you choose your final placement and spend the whole year there, with the intention of continuing on there at the end of the apprenticeship (this is fairly flexible however). You spend 4 days a week at work and 1 day at College. We go to Mid Kent College. The BTEC is completed in the first 2 years of the apprenticeship, and you are provided with the opportunity to take on the HNC in the third year and continue it in your fourth year with the company (despite no longer being an apprentice - great huh?) The apprenticeship as a whole is well structured and if you do require support, help is easy to find. There are people all over the site only too happy to help. The HR Team also has a small team within it dedicated to the training department and they are always there to talk to should you require anything.

The College is good. The tutors are usually on hand to answer any questions you have. Sometimes it takes a while to get marks back, which isn't always great but it is generally a good experience and a safe & happy environment to learn in. Support is available should you require it and there is the option to stay behind at the end of a day of lectures with the tutor to go through anything that you may need some further help in understanding.

Support from the Company is second to none. Cannot fault it. Any help you need is looked in to straight away and a solution to a problem is never far away. The managers, Team Leaders and HR Team are all brilliant. I get on well with them all and should there be any problems I know that they are people I can turn to for help.

Ok, so the apprentice salary isn't great... But it covers my costs and leaves me with a bit of money to myself. I live roughly 25 miles from the site so my travel costs are higher than some but it's definitely manageable. The money goes up as you go through the apprenticeship and there is a nice chunk more added on upon completion.

There are many opportunities and events to get involved with here. A I have said previously, I am a part of the LAC & NAC. As well as this the company organise social events for us to go to. There is usually a cost, but often a reduction over what it would usually cost you to set up yourself. Social events are put on for good work and there is a number of other events throughout the year, giving you the chance to meet with colleagues and friends in a non-work environment. The company puts a lot of effort in to these events and it definitely leaves you feeling valued as an employee.

Yes

It has been one of the greatest decisions of my life to start the apprenticeship here, and I would gladly recommend it to anyone else interested in starting a career in engineering.

The online application process is quite long and the online tests seem quite daunting at first! Just prepare yourself for each stage of the application process and you'll be fine. Coming in to the interview with a bit of knowledge about the company's history definitely helps. But most importantly at the interview, be yourself! They're far more interested in a person who shows great potential than what a piece of paper says about you. If you can get some experience with BAE itself that will definitely look good on you, but any work experience with an engineering company will stand you in good stead - it shows commitment and willingness. What would I like to have been told? Don't panic! I was VERY nervous coming on to site for my interview and I didn't do so well in a couple of the tests because of it. Relax, stay focussed and make sure you're paying attention. And remember, if you don't get it first time round - what's stopping you from applying again next year?...