Technical Apprentice Review

My job title is an technical apprentice. I am in my second year so at the moment I am rotating around the site to different departments. I am in the faraday test centre at the moment and everyday tasks include EMC testing and environmental testing. I meet with teams across BAE systems and also team leaders, managers and also customers in most of my placements. I am working two projects at the moment, one of them I am project manger, this is for the apprentice innovation challenge. This includes running a team, making sure we meet deadlines and making sure the project runs to a good standard.

I Started BAE Systems when I was 16, so I didn't have any skills around electronics or any higher qualifications, I only had my GCSEs. since starting BAE Systems I have almost finished my second year of college which is a level 3 diploma in electronic engineering. I have also completed my level 2 extended diploma in electronic engineering at an offsite training centre at IPS. Some of the professional skills I have learnt at BAE Systems is working with a team and also working with customers. I feel it has improved my self confidence. When I started I didn't have any background in electronics, so I have learnt a lot about this over the past 2 years.

I really enjoy my apprenticeship, I really enjoy all the tasks that I get given and undertaken, I also enjoy working with the teams, they have helped me out a lot over the past 2 years, working for the company has also been very enjoyable and also has opened up lots of different opportunities.

Over the past 2 years I do feel valued at BAE Systems. the fact that the team leaders from some departments trust me to work with a customer feels very good to me. I have been involved with lots of different tasks around site which had made me feel valued.

I feel my programme is structured well, I had a very good induction to site and also to all my placements. I have been given good training such as IPS and also my IPC training. when I have needed it I have had great support from my line manger and also the teams I have been working with. My first year at college wasn't organised very well at all, it was all over the place however we did all pass, the same for my second year however it is running a bit more smoothly. I feel my programme was well organised

Over the past 2 years I have had a lot of support from my training provider, they really helped me with my electronic knowledge and helped me get my final grade, they would all go out the way to give me support. I really enjoyed it

Over the past 2 years my line manager has given me a lot of support and guidance, he has helped me a lot with work problems and also personal problems. the HR team and really helpful too, if I had any kind of problems and I couldn't reach my line manger they would always be there to help. again all of them would go out their way to help me

I am very lucky as I am still young and live at home with my parents, living costs for me are okay with the salary we get. I pay rent and also pay for my car and I have a little bit let over each month, I have a good social life with my salary. the salary we have is okay but I cant save enough money to move out as we are on too little to do so.

I have been apart of many outside opportunities such as school visits, social sports with the teams outside of work such as football. I also take part in a lot of events outside of work such as the dragon boat race and quiz nights. when I wasn't working I was at school, so I only really had time for social events at the weekend.

Yes

I Feel it would be a great opportunity for a person who is looking for a career in electronics, Working for BAE Systems is great and they give you the support you need. Working with the teams is also great and they make sure feel very welcome.

When applying for the job make sure you are ready for a full time job and its what you want to do, as it can be very demanding. make sure your application is clear and easy to ready and when your in your interview present yourself in a smart way and just be yourself