Business Apprentice Review

Currently I'm in the Supply Management and Development team. On a whole, my team work together to manage our suppliers and make sure that if there are any problems then they should be managed properly to prevent problems in our production line. I get involved in all aspects of my team work from Business Continuity Management to Financial support. I'm currently support a Continuity of Supply project, where I have a great deal of input to the day to day tasks. These include creating a How Do I manage continuity of supply document, creating a supplier maturity matrix and communicating with the key stakeholders across the business.

I will end my apprenticeship with an NVQ level 3 in Business and also the great experience I have gained from working in the working environment. Internally, I've participated in many courses that give me an introduction to many things such as estimating, procurement and customer delivery. I've also developed my personal skills such as my communication, confidence and definitely my organisational skills.

When busy, I thoroughly enjoy coming into work. My team are lovely to work with and I never feel although I'm treated differently just because I'm an apprentice. The support we're given at BAE Systems is more than what we could've asked for as employees. During quiet periods of work I feel much more relaxed at work, although I never feel stress. Working at BAE Systems definitely is more than what I expected as we are given so many more amazing opportunities than what I was actually aware of.

So far during my apprenticeship I feel very valued as a BAE Systems employee. I have always felt that people I work for internally are very grateful that I'm there to offer my support to their team. I also feel like I'm treated as all the other employees, rather than treated as 'an apprentice'. Feedback at BAE Systems is key, and I feel that during my team here I've been given constructive criticism or feedback that will help me develop.

The induction we received before joining the business was definitely worthwhile. During the induction I learnt a lot that I wouldn't have necessarily known about the business before hand so the two weeks were definitely useful, especially the 'buddy' day so I could really see what the business was like before I started. The programme is always very well supported and so are we as individuals, I feel I receive the best support possible and I never have any problems with who to go to for guidance. When we go to college throughout our apprenticeship the courses are always relevant to the work I'm doing. I also receive a great amount of feedback from my assessors which means I can further develop.

I receive an adequate amount of support for the right things. I can always find someone to talk to about the right things and I'm often guided in the right direction of someone who can help for everything. I always feel like my training provider is more than happy to help with any problems I may face and I'm in a comfortable position to go to them if I feel I have to.

I receive an adequate amount of support for the right things. I can always find someone to talk to about the right things and I'm often guided in the right direction of someone who can help for everything. I always feel like my manager and the HR function are more than happy to help with any problems I may face and I'm in a comfortable position to go to them if I feel I have to.

Most of the time my salary doesn't cover a lot of my costs, but I understand that I get paid exceptionally well for someone of my age. I often find that I have little money to spend on 'treating' myself during the month, as I also have to pay for outside of work commitments, car insurance and general living costs. I also find that due to the location of college, I spend a lot of money on travel expenses to and from college as the location is so far away. Most of the time, the travel expenses allowed don't cover the cost of my travel to and from work because I live more than 10 miles away.

I feel that there are a lot of opportunities outside of work and I'm currently involved in a few. BAE Systems offer great company events and activities, such as award ceremony's and charity events, that are there to get involved with. During my apprenticeship so far I've been involved with the following events/activities: quiz nights, runway mile, cycling for charity, outward bounds and award ceremony's. Being so young means that I still have commitments outside of work which sometimes I have to disregard because of my long working hours. I've recently turned down an amazing opportunity with my dance school in order to be able to work, although I understand I have a commitment to work, this amazing opportunity would've given me so many skills to develop that I definitely missed out on a great opportunity.

Yes

I'd recommend BAE Systems to a friend because it's definitely the best way of gaining experience whilst earning money. BAE Systems is a great place to work because of the amount of opportunities given and the great experience you can gain whilst working in this environment. BAE Systems also offers a great career path and there is definitely something at BAE Systems that everyone can enjoy and get involved with.

Tips and advice to others applying to BAE Systems that I would give would to be: be yourself, don't panic, be confident, stand out, make an impression and research. I'd also say that if one year you aren't successful, always try again. If I could apply again I'd like to be told that sometimes opportunities for under 18s can lack due to the law.