Apprentice Review

So far I'm enjoying what work I am doing at BAE systems. My role as a Technical Apprentice for is currently to support and get involved with the different departments and areas we undertake placements in. Each placement covers a different aspect of the business; for example, design, testing, in service support, and systems.

I have learnt a host of new skills in both my first year in the training centre and since coming on to site. I learnt basic engineering and team work skils int he training centre and then as I have moved onto site I have learnt more technical knowledge. I have also gained a place on the companies German exchange allowing me to learn a language and work abroad.

I enjoy my programme very much. I have been given a great opportunity where by I have the ability to move around all areas within the Finance function and gain crucial knowledge which I can use throughout my career. I would give my programme a 9/10 overall as I really enjoy it but there's always room for improvement.

Since joining in 2013 I have been made to feel important to the company with even the top managers and the priminister coming to talk to myself and other apprentices about how important what we are doing is. This gives you a really good feeling and shows how much bae care about their staff.

The induction week was good. it showed us exactly what to expect from the programme and I know what to expect in the future and what is going on. However, the college did not have any structure for most of the year. We went a couple of months without a lecturer in one subject, which put us all behind. There was no induction week at the college and it took a long time for a uniform timetable to be developed.

My college offers lots of support in completing work to a high standard. This comes in the form of long lessons with lots of hand outs and after hours tutoring being available. I do feel though that some of the lessons are jsut us being handed sheets and told to complete them with very little explanation. In particularly Maths.

The amount of support I get from my employer, (BAE Systems) is at a very high level. After my year of training in the training centre I was still unsure how the business functioned and what different projects they were undertaking. Throughout my placements I have been given the opportunity to see for myself the variety of work that goes on.

The salary / package meets my costs and needs very well. Although the first year salary isn’t the highest paid apprenticeship, it is still enough to cover everything. As each year passes, as an apprentice you get yearly increases, with the final year salary increasing a considerable amount.

Whist being employed at Bae I have been given the chance to visit Germany for 3 weeks on an exchange program. This is an excellent scheme and it fully supported by the collegues and managers who give me extra time to learn the language and plan activities. We are also emailed about local charity events.

Yes

BAE Systems is a worldwide company that offers a very good opportunity to gain training that would otherwise cost a fortune. Once the training is complete I believe that having the successful completion of this apprenticeship will look great on any CV even if you chose not to apply for a full time job at the company.

Prepare well for the selection day, and make an effort to get to know the other people on the same selection day. Don't worry if you've got anything you feel may cause you to fail the security vetting process, talk to the DBS people they will help you with the process. Enjoy the interview and be yourself.