Technical Apprentice Review

Currently I am transitioning through different sections of the company every 7 to 8 weeks. These sections are called placements. Each placement is designed to give you a feel of what a certain section of the company is like to work in. I recently finished 8 weeks in our sites calibration department. Here I got the opportunity to fix all the broken equipment that web use around site and to calibrate other pieces of equipment. I got to see and using some really interesting products whilst in this department. My next placement is an engineering support placement, where I support engineers that are constructing all this equipment.

Since being an apprentice with BAE Systems, I've gained a whole new level of maturity and independence as well as confidence. From the training I have received, I'm much more knowledgeable in different engineering fields such as mathematics, electronics, and hands on crafting and building. I recently got my head round oscilloscopes and am now very confident in using them. putting all my skills that I have learnt together, makes me feel very mature for my age.

A lot of people find there job as an income maker and watch the seconds count by, whereas I actually enjoy coming into work. it doesn't feel like a chore as the people are lovely and the work is very interesting. I never find myself bored at work and never dread going in on Monday after the weekend. The hours are flexible to fit around my hobbies and family time which adds to the enjoyment of working here. in short, I love my programme.

We are all made to feel like a crucial part of the company and not just an apprentice to sweep up and make the tea... we have constant feed back reviews with our managers and bosses whereby we express any concerns we have or anything we want to talk about for them to help resolve. we get constant emails offering us to partake in additional activities. e.g. I recently got the opportunity to go up to Birmingham and represent my site at the skills show, where I encourage youngsters into engineering. we are constantly made to feel welcome and looked after every day of the apprenticeship.

The program is very structured and involves your input as well as your bosses and managers. unlike school, where your thought to a curriculum, I can gain evidence for my NVQ in any way, such as reports, practical observations of the task I'm doing, and by assignments that I do outside of work at college. we often have meetings and reviews regarding our progress and to see how we are getting on and if we have any concerns regarding the structure or programme. it gives me the feeling of added confidence that nothing can stop me from getting my NVQ.

Support is thrown at you in every direction. many times I've been struggling with something or concerned about something, but just by asking, I get all the support I need and more to get round and overcome a situation. In our first year at a training centre, I was totally new to electronics and struggled a lot. rarely was there a period of about an hour where I wasn't asking for help. I constantly felt confused but the lectures supported me in every way possible to help my through the course and always had a smile on their face, so I never felt like I was pestering them. essentially, support is endless!

its the exact same with our employers. my bosses/managers all want me and other apprentices to do well. frequent progress reviews occur where you discuss anything you many be finding difficult and then discuss an action to be put into place to resolve the issue. I go to some of my bosses for support so often about the smallest of things, even if I just feel a little down and want a chat. its clear their priority is us as apprentices.

As I'm an apprentice I cant expect to be on a lot of money, however as an apprentice, I'm on what I believe, a considerable amount of money. I can afford rent, to run my car, to feed myself and to still have money to go out at the weekends. it could be more but its more than sufficient, and as I progress through the apprenticeship, it goes up even 6 months. so soon I will be on a very nice wage.

there are lots of opportunities outside of work such as going to schools and giving talks about the company, attending engineering events and manning a stall to advertise the apprenticeship, and even in some cases to go away for work with the company such as France for a day or two. I know many apprentices in my year group that have done so. I myself got an all expenses paid trip to Birmingham for 4 days to represent my company and engineering to youngsters.

Yes

Yes I would recommend it, in-fact I have recommended it to a friend who is applying for an apprenticeship with BAE Systems next year. the reasons are simple. I get world class education and training in a field of work I'm interested in. I get to go to Uni for free, paid by the company. the work is great. the hours are flexible and easy. and I get paid at the same time!

give it a shot. if you want to progress in life in any field of engineering, you can do it in BAE systems. you don't have to be a rocket scientist to be successful in your application, I didn't do great at school, but I put the effort into my application and my interview and that was noticed. as long as your passionate and have the drive to do well, your already on your way.