Technical Apprentice Review

I am a technical apprentice, which means I'm office based. My tasks vary daily, depending on what work the business has, but it all revolves around HMI (Human Machine Interface) so my most recent tasks have been working towards the integration of a touchscreen display on front line fighter aircraft. Daily I have calls and meetings with people both based on site and across the country, this involves conference calls, meetings and occasional travel.

I have developed skills relating to the human side of engineering, ensuring that buttons in the cockpit are in an ergonomic and comfortable position, and that the upgrade of items like lights doesn't interfere with other things, like the pilots night vision display or make the cockpit viable from the outside.

Working at BAE Systems has been thoroughly enjoyable, there is a camaraderie between the apprentices to help each other through difficult bits of college work and work placements. The support given by the early careers team is massive though things such as outward bounds, to ensuring that we all get the best from our college tuition and university options.

Even though this is a very large company with over 80,000 employees worldwide, I don't feel overlooked as an apprentice or employee. All management have been supportive of my educational development and helping me develop myself inside the business. As a site there are specific awards yearly with a recognition evening and meal for the winners. The winners are selected by being proposed by colleges for going above and beyond what is expected of them. For external recognition the company has country wide and world wide awards and recognition ceremonies, celebrating outstanding conduct and going above what is expected of them. Outside of the company there are also apprentice awards ceremonies, for Northern Awards and UK Skills competitions, at which the company always has a good representation.

The Early Careers team have this down to a T, the program at Brough is well set out and if any clarification is needed the assessor is very approachable and will do his best to answer, and if he cant, he has no issue with raising it within the company to get an answer. Training is all good, with the college responding to criticism and weaknesses we report to ensure that we all do the best we can.

The assessor at Brough is very approachable with any questions, he will offer guidance on anything from the apprenticeship to getting mortgages and finding a house to rent. The whole team is very approachable and will do anything to support the well being of the apprentices. There is no negative reaction to anything you go to the early careers team with and they always try their best to get to the best decision for everyone.

The assessor at Brough is very approachable with any questions, he will offer guidance on anything from the apprenticeship to getting mortgages and finding a house to rent. The Human Resources team are also very approachable and will deal with any problems and questions I could have. The attitude towards dealing with problems here and mental health is very positive, a quote from the head of early careers is "You wouldn't walk on a broken leg, so don't walk when you've got a broken mind" - Wilf Monk, he explained this as, when you've got an issue, raise it, even if it means time off to recover, its better you recover and come back to work fit and ready, than struggle

My monthly outgoings on rent are £350, and £85 for fuel just to commute to work. If the company expects me to travel anywhere away from site I have an AM-EX card for all costs and would be provided a hire car. The wage here is very good compared to other companies and apprenticeships in the area and there is a tax incentive shares scheme, a good pension deal, and a good yearly pay rise for inflation. Also this year we have all received £500 free shares and a £500 bonus for meeting targets set by management, these are reviewed yearly in line with what targets we meet and what they set.

There are many opportunities to attend STEM events, to inspire young people into careers in engineering and manufacturing. The company also holds alot of charity events, such as the glitter ball and bowling to bring the company together at social events. Apprentice wise there are events organised just for apprentices to get together, the most recent is the charity 5 a side football games organised for different sites to compete in.

Yes

The opportunities given to me in this company are second to none, if there is a training course I need to go on, its provided. The assistance given is superb, the team are very skilled and open in what they do. In the short term, the pay is very good, the college education is provided for free and is a good level qualification and in the future there is the option to get a degree funded by the company. It is a very good and supportive place to work.

Be yourself, relax and enjoy it, remember to smile and shake hands, after all its a good first impression you want. Don't come overdressed, think of the role you're applying for, and whether someone doing that job would wear a 3 piece suit or just a polo and smart trousers. The online application process is easy to do, so take your time and re-read your application to make sure its great. The selection and interview at Brough is very well organised. But remember, be yourself and you'll shine through.