Electronics Technical Apprentice Review

Officially I am a Electronics Technical Apprentice, however I am not just an apprentice doing my Level 3 NVQ and working at BAE, I am in fact proudly to say I am a BAE Systems (At Rochester) Employee. I am in my 5th placement around the site, what this means is that, as part of our development we rotate around departments after every 8 weeks to get a broad range of experiences and gain a better understanding of what BAE Systems Rochester offers and does, so at the moment not everyday is the same. This means towards the end of our second year we will then choose which department are our choices to work with and go from there, through a process. Since I moved from IPS International from my first year of the apprentice to working on site at BAE Systems, I have done five placements: Hardware, Rochester Service Centre, Power and propulsion systems, Design Appreciation and Quality, production and Manufacturing (process). Before I go further I just want to say there is flexibility in everything, you are not forced into the matter and people will make exceptions for your other commitments. Apprenticeship at BAE is not like any other apprenticeship, there is a lot going on and it does require effort and time management. My daily tasks were therefore always different, but as part of the QPM (process) team, of which I am a part of now, I am working with the Operations Test Engineering team to help look at the feasibility of implementing a test system into the process. I completed an activity where I was charged with communicating to another company to get information and datasheets on fume elimination systems. I am also responsible for and carry out, under supervision, a product health checklist, which looks over the products supplementary paperwork to ensure conformance, I am also creating changes to the engineering process that involves improvements in health and safety, efficiency and reliability to the manufacturing process. Apart from the work I was given and the support I receive to be able to do them I was also shown around the place and learn more about QPM (process) role in the company; I was shown the paint shop where conformal coating takes place, SMT process and more. I also worked with a fellow third year apprentice from time to time. There is a myriad of activities and job roles to undertake that not everyone in the apprenticeship does the same thing. This is also what makes the apprenticeship special as everyone's experience is unique. My routine involves coming into work, which has flexible hours, meaning you can come into work anywhere from 6.45am to 10am. I will therefore finish at 3.15pm to 6.45pm depending when I started. Fridays everyone finishes at 1pm! At first I will go to my desk to log on and check my emails before being given a task to do that day from my supervisor, shadow someone or carry on with what I was doing as explained above. There is no forcible approach, there is trust in you that you will put the effort in to join in. Fortunately this is not a job where you are alone, I interact with fellow apprentices daily, as other apprentices are in the same floor as I am and we can go to each other to help or just chat for a bit which really makes this company feel like a family rather than a conglomerate. Talking of interactions, my QPM team are always a laugh and great to talk to, everyone here has experiences with apprentices and amazing stories, even being apprentices themselves after 30 odd years! This is similar across every department so no place feels lonely. You have systems for communicating such as Skype, email and face to face. It's never a quiet day. Amongst responsibilities at work, there are my commitments to college (attend college every Tuesday)on work such as Engineering Projects and therefore I am allowed to focus on college work if I wish should I need to use the resources and time at work instead. Supervisor are very understanding and will always happily help. As well as that, I am part of the Early Careers team, where I assist in their functions by helping out with supervising cohorts on site, organising events for apprentices, graduates and ambassadors to go out and present at schools and events. I am an ambassador myself and have supervised all ages from 11 to 20 years around site showing people what we do. I have only just scratched the surface of life at BAE Systems, there is so much to say and talk about but the final point I want to make is that BAE Systems at Rochester is a dynamic, fantastic organisation to be a part of, I feel like I have a sense of purpose in my job, I get paid very well for apprentices and as ironic as this might sound for some, I really enjoy waking up to go to work.

I have learned a lot more at BAE Systems than I have at A-Levels and my brief time at University combined in just the two years I have been at BAE Systems Rochester but not only that, I have developed as a person into a more professional, Engineering orientated individual. In terms of qualifications so far: Completed Level 2 at IPS and learned the basics needed before coming on site such as fault finding, electronics principles, health and safety, IPC standards, end of year project and more. (I did a RateMyApprenticeship last year talking about this). I have achieved Distinction level across all subjects for the first half of the Level 3 NVQ: Electronics Principle, Maths and Further Maths, Microprocessors and Health & Safety. This is thanks to the amazing support from IPS and BAE Systems that we were able to do well at Mid Kent college. There are plenty of opportunities for further development too, from HNC to Degree level and Level 7 Apprenticeship. Currently I am more than half way pass the second year where I am doing: Fault Finding, Engineering Projects + Communications, Further Electronics Principles and PCB manufacture. All necessary NVQ level subjects are taught doing our college day but the real experience and skills come from working with BAE Systems. Some of these may seem unambitious but for me I have definitely benefitted and appreciate being able to learn the following: I have learned to use Outlook and Skype proficiently as it is one of the main tools I have to communicate around site, organise meetings and supplement my work. I have learned to use different Microsoft applications such as VISIO and projects. I continually develop my understanding of CAD software such as AutoCAD, Eagle, Microcap, sketch-up for college and work. I have developed my understanding of popular Microsoft applications such as Excel where I used the VBA to develop unique functions. Now for the interesting part, I have started learning about C programming language, had lots of experiences in fault finding old legacy equipment and developed better skills to read and decipher schematics and engineering drawings. Through Design Appreciation I did initial research, schematic designing, soldering, building and further research to help our team build a Fluid level Information Processing System (FLIPS). I developed my networking experiences and practised more of my presentation skills to a panel of highly esteemed and intelligence Employees of BAE Systems Rochester. I have had experience in testing and fixing Interceptor control boards, used BAE Systems own software such as MES, Oracle, Teamcenter, Proquis, RAID, MyIT and getting around the Intranet. I have learned so much and continually to do so, I have a lot of drive to take in as much as I can. I am also at the point where I can fix my own equipment at home with the confidence and abilities I gained at BAE Systems which is something I have always wanted to do.

So far I hope it is made obvious how much I am enjoying the programme. I actually want to wake up and go to work! The work is very engaging, I do a lot at BAE Systems and work on a lot of equipment, learn a lot about the processes. With each team that I have worked with I have enjoyed their company, there is always someone who has a lot of information to give, knows what they are talking about, a lot of stories and understanding towards apprentices. There is a fantastic culture at BAE Systems, there are always activities after hours from defence to fitness classes, there are boards of items for sale from internal employees like cars and motorbikes. Everyone leaves at 1pm on Fridays, there are constant meet ups and organised events between graduates and apprentices, we have our own mailing system and group chats on FB and whatsapp. There are compeitions, ambassador opportunities, events, raffles, financial yearly meetings for the whole site. so much so that it is a live entity that is full of activities and opportunities, every day every week. BAE Systems Rochester has surpassed my expectations, I have never really had experience in a proper work environment like BAE. Since I was in education for a long time to university level, I and grateful I took the opportunity at BAE and really enjoy myself, I can proudly say I work for huge company, get paid well, get a lot of holidays and get to learn Engineering.

Very valued. Every Apprentice is valued, we are the future of BAE's workforce and crucial to their continual operation. I was voted the initial apprentice of the year for IPS, a smaller award under the real apprentice of the year award which happens after finishing the apprenticeship. There are constant award and recognition being given out to employees, loads of praise and positive feedback. Being a BAE Systems employee is a very valuable position.

Everything you need to know and more will be provided to you on the programme, nothing get missed out. We have inductions, meetings, unlimited resources available to advance our learning, we have the backing our of training supervisor, support, contact for ethical and moral concerns, health and safety training, placements for learning, college for NVQ, bimonthly meetings for welfare and NVQ progress. The Apprenticeship at BAE is one of the best in the country if not the world.

AS mentioned above we have continued support at all stages of our development. Meetings to review our progress and welfare, contacts for any concern, we can chat to anyone we like and have unlimited resources and support to do the best in our apprenticeship as we can. Our training provider at BAE Systems is amazing, at Mid Kent college it could be better. We are always made to feel comfortable and have someone to talk to, there is always someone around such as ex-apprentices and managers who can support your learning and development. Our training provider is especially supportive and really value their apprentices at BAE Systems. They support us through any difficulties we may encounter at Mid Kent college.

A lot of support, we are given placement manuals to recorde our experiences and gain feedback from placement supervisors. We have information in the manual to use, we have our induction packs and should we require anything else we can ask. We have meetings to review our progress and welfare, we have ambassadors to talk to and ex apprentices as well as third year apprentices. There is a lot of support that really with effort, you will always succeed. I personally received much valued support in that I have a disability. BAE Systems have thus provided me with everything I need to level the playing field so to speak. Everyone at BAE Systems Rochester most likely know everyone so no one will be left out.

As an apprentice in my second year, I am now on more than living wage and I'm under the age of 25. We start lower but every 6 months we get an upgrade. In terms of living cost I am able to rent out my own house with my girlfriend. It is even better for those who still live with their parents in terms of money saved and earned. We have shares being paid for us and our pension taken care of. I walk to work so it does not cost me anything there. The canteen food are reasonably priced but very tasty. The location of BAE Systems Rochester is connected by a myriad of transportation to the town and lots of people live locally as well as externally. The potential earnings are astronomical, working for BAE Systems is always going to be a financially viable option.

As mentioned before there are constant activities outside and inside work. For starts the grads and apprentices have their own mailing system on outlook and group chats to organise meet ups and go out to the pub, festivals, quiz nights and more! within the company there are ambassador opportunities and travelling to events, we have defence all the way to fitness classes across all sport activities from table tennis to athletics on site as well as organised locally. We have hire vehicles provided to BAE for travelling too. I also have a fantastic social life as I made a lot of friends within the apprenticeship as well as friends from my old school and university who are around.

Yes

A job at BAE Systems is not just any job, it is not simply a 9-5, clock in and clock out repetitious cycle. It is in fact a brilliant career choice for any who has aspirations in Engineering, from mechanical, electronics to software, design and development. To add to that it is a buzzing organisations that cares about their employees and has external activities for people to take part in. Working at BAE Systems, you will benefit from a broad range of opportunities and be a part of a massive group of intelligence individuals who love a laugh but are also serious about their jobs and serious about involving and developing apprentices and graduates. You will be hard pressed to find a more suitable organisation to learn extremely advanced engineering and specialist subjects, which will benefit you in your career with BAE and even outside of BAE as the name holds undeniable clout with other organisations. You will notice how much activities there are and be spoilt for choice. If a career in a specialist subject, growing as a person, making friends, enjoying yourself and working your way up in a company doing something meaningful while being looked after financially, is for you? Join BAE Systems.

I understand what I have said might sway someone to join BAE systems like wildfire, but this is not for the faint hearted. The workplace is serious about delivering exceptional products and services. Every employee are very well respected and unfathomably intelligence. The products BAE Systems provide are exemplary and therefore the employees are expected to perform. The one thing I believe every employee values despite what I said, is effort. Put in the effort and you will do well, you do not need to be a walking Wikipedia of knowledge to get far, you need to have the right attitude and respect coupled with effort and you have what it takes. BAE Systems is a wonderful ecosystem of different people with different beliefs and personalities, you will fit in no matter how weird and strange you might think you are. Just put the effort in and respect others. If you just join the apprenticeship just to be paid well and not care about working at BAE Systems or respecting it culture, well you won't succeed and will not get a chance to reach that point anyway.