Apprentice Review

currently I am on my third placement since leaving the training centre which is structural health monitoring.My job at the moment entails analysing data from strain gauges off aircraft flights and sending my findings back to the customer and giving recommendations to what they should do next.

I have definitely learned new skills in the sense that I have never worked in a role like this so really everything I do I'm learning for the first time.I'm learning things like how to better analyse data; how to write engineering notes and how to refine data.

I am thoroughly enjoying my apprenticeship as its my first working experience and it is giving me plenty of skills both in terms of work but also socially; I'm meeting plenty of people and I feel like my confidence is growing. overall the apprenticeship has gone much better than I was expecting-even though I was expecting a lot.

I feel very valued. BAE make a very big point about how they value their apprentices and see them as the future of the company. nothing says that more than the new training centre they've just built. constant checks are done to see how I'm fitting in and to see if I'm still enjoying it and plenty of opportunities are given to apprentices.

I'd say very structured. from our first weeks of induction the structure of our apprenticeship was made very clear and obvious. we have been given constant support to help guide us through this process and its clear too see its been very well organised and has been finely tuned over the years.

we have assessors which go through the apprenticeship with us and are always there if we need to chat or need to ask something and are also keen to ask something themselves. all my managers have also always been really good at easing me in and making me feel part of the team.

I receive a lot of support. as I mentioned in one of the above comments BAE value their apprentices and that's clearly passed down through to the managers who are always looking out for us and again we're always being checked up on to see if we're doing alright. you can see there's a very positive attitude towards apprentices.

as I'm 18 and joined straight from school so my pay for me is very good as I'm still at home and find my pay very generous and appreciate it a lot. I never hear any complaints from any of the older apprentices living in their own houses either. I live in the middle of Warton/Samlesbury so petrol/travel costs isn't an issue.

There are plenty of opportunities outside of work such as charity; exchange and world skills among others. its also very obvious to see BAE is very involved with the local community. I myself am involved with a work 6-a-side team.

Yes

because I believe its an excellent apprenticeship scheme run by an excellent company who look after their employees. there are plenty of opportunities and the scheme also helps you with skills in the workplace and outside. I couldn't recommend it more.

just to give it your all and always be eager to impress and learn. also to take all of the opportunities that are sent your way as you wont be able to get them anywhere else.