Degree Apprenticeship Review

My job title currently is ''Project Control for CAM 205 Capability Test'' however, this changes every September when we move roles. We have 5 one year placements over the 5 year apprenticeship which allows us to gain as much experience as possible. The roles being one year long (longer than some other apprentices durations) enable us to get an in depth understanding of each role. This also allows us time to complete extra activities such as stretch assignments, STEM events etc. which I'm very grateful for the opportunity for, as I feel this really helps you develop yourself and your career. On a daily basis I engage with both the project control team and the engineering team behind my department. I assist the engineers with boking their time, what contracts their time should go against, and many other activities that come on a day by day basis. My main responsibilities include looking after booking discipline, contributing to the quarterly contract status reviews, providing support to the project control lead, spend reporting and BCR's.

Within the first 6 months of my apprenticeship I had already gained an internationally recognised external qualification from the APM (Association for Project Management)after sitting 2 exams I am now a member of this association which grants me access to exclusive events and information in the world of PM. I've now been with the company almost 18 months and have been on over a dozen training courses internally, ranging from a 2 day project control simulation course to a 2 hour ethics awareness session. I've learnt a vast and wide amount from undertaking al the training I have received, and each training course helps me adapt my career in different ways. I was concerned that going straight from college to a work environment would be hard for me, but the training provided has really helped me develop my people skills, as well as many other values.

I thoroughly enjoy my apprenticeship, I get on well with both my work team and my apprenticeship team and always feel like there is someone to talk to if I'm concerned about anything. The apprenticeship leaders exceeded my expectations of making me feel welcome and it made the daunting college - work transition a lot easier. This said, I think it may be helpful if they ensure the work team you are being placed in also does everything they can to 'ease you in', as sometimes it can be difficult for people who have been working in an office for 10+ years to understand what its like being in that environment for the first time. of course the scheme leads made me feel very at home as they are trained and aware how to do so, but I think by providing some information to the team you're going to be entering in your first placement, it could really encourage and remind them to make more of an effort in ensuring you can settle in.

I feel that I am very valued my the company as a whole. the company emphasises the importance of apprentices and always highlights apprentices successes and accomplishments by publishing stories on the local internet. the apprentice awards are also another great way of making apprentices feel valued. Also all the extra activities and training the company provides makes you aware that they are putting a lot into you.

I think the scheme is pretty well organised. You know when you're going to move placements and where you're going to be moved too in plenty of time. the scheme also has quarterly reviews which keeps you up to date with any changes which is great as you're always kept in the loop. as well as this we receive individual reviews which are organised every 12 weeks, this provides plenty of support. The academic part of our scheme is also relatively well organised. We have recently requested that the college we attend become more organised by providing a year view of term dates, exam dates etc. so we know well in advanced of when we need t be available. this is in the process of being done so that will be great once its up and running as at the minute it can be a little confusing.

The support I receive is very good. there's plenty of people I know I can talk to in confidence and I know they will do everything possible to fix my problem. There's always someone you can talk to if you don't feel comfortable asking for support for a certain situation to that point of contact, which I think is great as there's always someone you can talk to. This said I think more could be done to keep yourself in the loop with issues you raise. there has been instances in the past where an issue has been taken on by someone, either by myself or themselves raising it, and I have never really found out what happened after giving my side of the story around the issue. I have no doubt that it was dealt with, but I think its important for piece of mind to know what's gone on.

Plenty. as mentioned above there is multiple people that I feel li can talk to about things. I know I could go to my manager, the scheme leader, ethics team occupational health etc. and that my issue would be dealt with to the best of their ability. I have never felt that anyone I have gone to looking for support has come back to me half heartedly, I feel they always do the best they can. As mentioned earlier feedback upon how they've dealt with your issue could be improved a bit.

I think my salary meets my costs well and i can balance my finances and bills accordingly. I know that if I ever did struggle with an issue in this area that there is people I can talk to to discuss options and that there is help when its necessary. I've never felt that I am being underpaid and i have never struggled to pay for my expenses every month.

There is many opportunities outside of work that BAE are more than keen for us to get involved in. This year I am looking forward to being involved in the innovation challenge, in which the finals are held at the royal college of engineering in London. I am also taking part in the UCAS higher education event in Manchester, and many more STEM activities. This is all thanks to BAE encouraging we take on as many opportunities as we feel we are able. this said the company will not push any activities onto you if you feel you are too busy in your day job at that time. BAE also encourage you to request more company involvement in activities they are not aware of - for example the company having a stand at the UCAS higher education event in Manchester has come from a colleagues stretch assignment, the company was not previously aware nor involved in this event. This is good as I feel they are very encouraging of your involvement of opportunities outside of work.

Yes

The companies value of their apprentices is something I think will be very difficult to be found elsewhere. Apprentices are treated with great care, support and value. Even though BAE systems is a huge company, it's clear you are an important to them. The salary is really decent compared to other apprenticeships in the local area and the skills and training you will get throughout your time here are really valuable.

I would advise to only apply if you are truly keen about the role you're entering, its clear to BAE who is just trying to get a job for the sake of the 'good pay' so expressing your interest is really important. Assessment days are not as scary as they sound, as soon as you're there and meet the assessors you feel a lot more comfortable. There's plenty of opportunities on them t ask questions about the role, however you are also assigned a 'buddy' and added to a group Facebook page with the rest of the candidates if you are given a conditional offer, so any queries you have can be answered long before you start. I would also advise not to be put off if you don't know the ins and outs of fighter jets! I was terrified before my assessment day that I didn't know enough about the products but you honestly do not have to be an expert at all - you have never worked here so how could you be! Obviously you need to know what BAE do so I would have a read of the website and make yourself familiar with it so you can relate, but you wont be asked specifics about any products if you're applying for the PM scheme, so don't worry. Also make sure you have examples of your competence to back yourself up, there's plenty of times you've shown you work well in a team but when you're in a 40 minute interview your head can go blank, so I would think some through first then they're in the back of your head.