Business Management Apprentice Review

My daily role is within a business support team of an aircraft production line (HAWK Jet Trainer), In my first placement we monitored and tracked the build line to ensure we were meeting deadlines and that we were producing the air craft as efficiently as possible. This was a great start to my apprenticeship!

Working in a planning and project management team has helped me develop a lot of skills, mainly the basics of how the company runs, getting an insight from many different angles (Project managers, Engineering supervisors and Logisticians). My IT skills have definitely improved as I was working with all of the Microsoft office programmes on a daily basis.

I have definitely enjoyed the start to this programme, I feel I am learning and progressing well without feeling overwhelmed. The off the job college training is an excellent tool, we complete areas of out NVQ course work here and it is all transferable skills that make me more confident in my workplace.

I definitely feel valued by the company, apprentices are really valued in the workplace and appreciated. There is also a lot of ex apprentices in the business who have remained here for many years so this makes me confident that the company will stay invested in me and my peer group, we are also invited to a lot of events to meet our areas of the company and I always feel part of the business.

I really like how organised the structure of the learning programme is. Doing four different placements over the 2 years ensures I get to experience as much of the company as possible. Every 5-6 weeks we have a college week in the apprentice training school. This is where we cover our NVQ work. Doing it in block period really helps me take in all the information.

The training provider is very invested in us. We have face to face meetings every 3-4 weeks to ensure my NVQ and work placements are going to plan and that I am comfortable in the role. I feel comfortable in calling my assessor when ever I need to discuss and issues I may I have. The company is also big on Safeguarding which is important when dealing with early careers.

The company is extremely invested in its employees, the management team in my first placement were excellent when dealing with me when I have a bereavement in the family. Ensuring I had the appropriate support and help when I needed it. The Apprentice school are excellent on making sure we are safe and comfortable in our placements.

Having come from a quite well paid job before hand, I found the initial apprentice salary quite hard to deal with. But I do understand that we are apprentices so a big wage isn't to be expected. The wage increases at 6 monthly milestones throughout the apprenticeship and the leaving wage is excellent and competitive.

There are many enrichment activities that come alongside working with BAE Systems, such as the German exchange programme and princes trust. I am particular interested in the BAE Flight school where employees and family can earn their pilots license at a subsidised cost. We also have outward bound that we complete in our first 6 weeks, this is a week in the Lakes that tests us physically and mentally.

Yes

I would definitely encourage my friends to start working for BAE systems. I believe there is no where better to start a professional career. I am being paid to learn whilst getting hands on experience with one of the worlds leading defence systems companies. I have already learnt massive amounts of knowledge that I will take further in my career.

I would advise others applying to BAE systems to take every opportunity that is thrown at them. The company puts a lot of time, money and effort into getting the best out of us and making sure we enjoy our time here.