Project management apprentice Review

I am a project management higher apprentice, I spend most of my time compiling reporting packs and other reports as well as chasing people for information. I often email people within the business who are at a higher level than me to gather vital project information from them. I have organised and led an apprentice Open Evening to advertise the scheme.

BAE offer excellent training services, I have had online courses of excel and small seminar training of things such as Risk training, BCRS etc. If you wish to develop a particular skill there is always training available and we also do day release to university where I am completing a degree in project management, allowing me to develop my academic skills and apply them to the workplace.

I love this programme, my team at work are amazing, we go to events outside of hours for team bonding such as netball, walking football, a Christmas masquerade ball. The other apprentices on my scheme are lovely, we all get along and it is like we've known each other for years.

I feel like my work and effort is valued. I have reviews with my managers on a monthly basis and I receive positive feedback when they see I am performing well. I think everyone is appreciated and our efforts at college also don't go un-noticed. The company is great fun for every worker.

The induction weeks are very informing, they give information into everything you need to know, however seeing as you're new to the business it is a lot of information to take in at once so it was hard to recall everything that was said. In general BAE do try to organise new employees/apprentices pretty well though.

At college with have numerous tutors who are always available to meet up with and talk when needed. We have the option to get mentors, meaning I always have someone within the company who is there to offer me support and guidance whenever I need. Our course leaders are always extremely support and are kept regularly updated with our progress and happiness by ourselves and our managers.

I don't receive enough support from my manager but that is my placement specific as I do work for a number of people rather than just one manager. The HR team are brilliant with apprentices and provide all the support you could want. If you require a mentor they are easy to get in contact with.

It is a great wage but as I live further away from the sites as others I have to pay a lot more in fuel to get to work every day, this also counts when I have to drive over an hour to get to college every week which takes so much fuel from my tank when others get the same wage and can arrive in a few minutes drive.

There are numerous company events to get involved with, I am being trained to be a STEM ambassador so I will go to schools promoting apprenticeships. I meet with the charity group once a month to plan fundraisers such as the site to site walk. There is a gym available and many sports groups you can join as well as frequent work activities like coffee mornings etc. We are going to the lakes to do the outward bound teambuilding week which is a fantastic opportunity for personal growth.

Yes

BAE is a fantastic company to work for, they invest so much time, effort and resources into each individual and allow them to grow and develop within a happy, hardworking environment. The sponsored degree is such an amazing opportunity and you are given some of the best quality teaching available, I feel extremely lucky to work here.

When applying you need to make sure your initial application helps you stand out, I made sure I did numerous drafts of mine and kept re reading it until I was completely happy. On the assessment day try and relax as much as possible, they are extremely supportive and make you feel at ease throughout the whole day. It is a tough application process but it's extremely worthwhile in the end!