Apprentice Electrican (Second Year) Review

Job Title: Apprentice Electrician Daily Tasks: Manufacture, production, test of looms, supply panels, boxes and panels, avionics trays, and amalgamations. Daily Interactions internally: Operators, Engineering Support Daily Interactions externally: Customers, Suppliers Responsibilites: Carrying out all operations following all guidelines and sticking to company policy and procedure. Building the products to the highest quality in accordance with all standards. Projects: Typhoon Major Looms, Avionics Trays, Amalgamation, Boxes and Panels. Hawk Looms, Supply Panels, Amalgamation. What do I do: I assist in the production of all products so that I can meet the criteria for my NVQ. I work alongside a skilled operator so that I know all working practices and so that I can learn the trade hands on.

Qualifications: NVQ Aeronautical Engineering Level 3 Internal Training Courses: 3D printing, fitting, electrical, aircraft systems, machining, first aid in the work place, working at height, working safely around aircraft. External: -- Personal/Professional Skills: I am working towards becoming a skilled electrician which I will acheive at the end of my apprenticeship. What have I learnt?: So far, I've worked off-the-job at the training centre where I learned basic fitting, machining and electrical skills. When I've speciailised in Electrical and moved on site, I have developed those basic electrical skills and transferred them into my work. I have been able to produce a full loom to standard after full inspection. I know how to work in this environment now.

Work: I really enjoy the work here, it is very varied. The looms are all different and offer different challenges. There is a large variety even though I have only been on 1 main placement so far. Team: The people are work with are all very helpful and friendly. They come from different backgrounds and are always willing to offer a hand or a bit of advice. They are nice to be around. Company Culture: The company is very diverse and well known being an internation brand. It is good to be able to say I work for such a company. Expectations: This apprenticeship met and exceeded my expectations. Did I enjoy it?: Yes, I enjoy it a lot and hope to keep enjoying it in the future.

Manager/Supervisor: I feel like my supervisors appreciate that I am an apprentice and that I am here to learn. They try to find jobs that are all varied and that will meet my grading criteria. They want me to do my best and are always there to help. Internal Recognition: I have won an above and beyond award which recognised my hard work during a placement through our specialisation phase in the training centre. This made me very happy and I felt very valued by the company. Involvement within tasks/projects: I have been involved in many tasks/projects so far. They include: producing a table centre piece for the BAE Systems Manufacturing Awards, helping out at Rainbow House in Mawdesley to repair and touch up their grounds, setting up and doing tours around the newly built Academy for Skills and Knowledge.

Induction: I have had an induction for every new placement I've been on so that I know the environment that I would be working in. Before each year (eg. End of Year 1 before on site work), we did an induction so that we knew the outline of the year and who we would report to assessor wise. Training: The training is well organised and kept on top of. If there are any courses necessary, they are booked and sorted out as soon as possible. The work itself could count as training and it is well organised too. Support: There is always someone to talk to no matter what the problem whether they be in work as a supervisor or in the training centre as a safeguarding officer. Studying: College is consistently on a Monday with a planned timetable for all lessons. It is organised okay. Support meetings: We have meetings with our assessors every 12 weeks to ensure we are up-to-date with all documentation towards our NVQ. The programme is organised well because there are lots of staff to help sort different things out. They are always available to speak to if there's any issues.

Mentor: Our skilled mentors give us as much support as we need. At the beginning of the apprenticeship, I was new to it all so they helped me out a lot. Now, I may only need them every now and then to refresh my memory. They are always there to help though, that is the main thing. How accessible is support?: Support is accessible at any time from anyone. If you are unsure who to ask for help, you can refer to the BAE intranet page to find the right person. Guidance with problems: If you have any problems inside or outside of work, there is always someone there to speak to. Safeguarding is a big thing and it is constantly monitored. If you have any concerns then they can be spoken about even in confidence if necessary.

Supervisor: My supervisor is always around to speak to if I need any support. It is usually only support to do with things that affect my work and not necessarily the work as the supervisors are staff and not skilled workers. HR: The HR team are always readily available. Luckily, I've not had to use their services. Accessibility: BAE Systems as a whole is all for support no matter how much you need it or who needs it. Guidance with problems: If you have a problem with anything in the business then you can contact a SHE worker, first aider, shop union steward, supervisor, HR worker or anyone else. Attitude towards support: As mentioned above, BAE Systems are very supportive of its employees.

Since I am an apprentice my wage is a lot lower than the standard Electrician wage. My living costs only consist of a set amount to my parents as I still live at home, my travel costs are comfortably paid for with my wage despite living a fair distance away, I don't struggle for daily costs, and my social costs are also comfortable with this wage. Any left over, I contribute towards my savings. This is after I have paid into the BAE Systems shares scheme and my pension. I live around about 30 miles away from Samlesbury which is a comfortable distance. If I wasn't driving then it will have been hard to get to work but I am happy with my travel arrangements.

BAE Systems offers many opportunities. These mainly come through the new ASK facility. Company related schemes such as the German exchange, world skills, and awards evenings are always popping up so that you can represent the company. Personally, I volunteered for the Manufacturing Awards evening. It was an enjoyable experience representing the apprentices of BAE Systems to some well known faces across the company. There are also STEM ambassadors which is a scheme to advertise the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths to the younger generation. This involves going to road shows and schools locally to teach about what STEM is and how kids can get involved in the future.

Yes

I would recommend BAE Systems to a friend because it is a great working environment. BAE Systems are a huge company that offer so many opportunities. I am very glad I joined the apprenticeship scheme because I have met a lot of great people, worked on big projects such as Typhoon and Hawk, and still have 2 years left. It is a very rewarding job.

I would advise anyone applying to BAE Systems to be themselves during the interview. It is too easy to pretend to be someone you're not just to get a role here. I found that BAE Systems are a very diverse company who aren't looking for robots just ticking boxes and are looking for people with potential to help the company grow in the future. That's what the apprenticeship is all about. I would like to have been told that there's nothing to worry about even when I'm in new environments such as on site. I was a bit too tentative to get involved at first but I should have got stuck in immediately.