Advanced Business Apprentice Review

My current job title is an Estimator in the Commercial Function of the business. My daily tasks include pricing, spread sheet maintenance, request for quotations, proposals and keeping necessary trackers up to date. On a day to day basis I mostly communicate within my team for different pieces of information, however a few times I week I am requested to speak to the customer for other pieces of information I may need. Our current customers include the German Air Force and the Spanish Air Force. I am responsible for keeping the necessary trackers up to date and processing and filing all new RFQ's (Request For Quotations) within 4 working days to ensure we achieve the quickest turn around. Within my team we are currently working on Contract 3 and Procurement Contract 4 producing and shipping spares.

Having worked previously prior to coming to BAE Systems I was able to bring a wide variety of skills into the apprenticeship with me, a few of them being confidence, communication and professionalism. However since joining BAE Systems I have not only improved these skills I have gained additional skills as well. BAE Systems offers a wide variety of training and awareness courses to keep all employees aware and trained up on the latest technology, processes and also things such as PREVENT and safeguarding. BAE Systems also provides the apprentices with 'College Weeks' which are held at the Academy for Skills and Knowledge on site at Samlesbury. BAE Systems not only encourages you to improve your professional skills but also your personal skills as well. Some new skills I have learnt whilst on my apprenticeship are contracting and estimating skills since I essentially came into the business with little to no experience of these. I have also improved on my leadership and team working skills. I have learnt a great deal in the past 6 months of my apprenticeship including more about my trade/function, other departments and also BAE's larger global footprint.

I am currently in my second placement on the Business Apprenticeship within Combat Air as an Estimator. The team have been nothing but welcoming, friendly and helpful since day one which has helped thoroughly with my development. My first placement was within Integrated Operations as a Contracts Officer. This involved me speaking to a wide variety of different businesses and universities in order to process and produce collaboration agreements and contracts. Both roles are very different from one another however I have enjoyed both thoroughly. The apprenticeship has exceeded my expectations in terms of opportunities and exposure to the wider business. At this moment in time I believe I enjoy working with contracts/collaboration agreements more as I feel more comfortable with words rather than numbers and spread sheets.

As an apprentice I feel extremely valued by BAE Systems. Both my managers and teams have always been extremely appreciative of my help and work within the team. As an apprentice we also have 12 weekly reviews in which myself, my manager and my assessor all get together to have a quick catch up of my progress and work. At these meetings my assessor will then feedback any further recognition and feedback for my performance within my placements. At this moment in my apprenticeship I have not received any external recognition. Both of my teams have got me extremely involved in all tasks and projects. As I had worked before my worst fear was that I wouldn't have enough work to do or I would just be given bits and pieces rather than a main project I could focus and work on. Luckily both of my teams recognised this and were able to give me a few bigger projects to work on throughout my time in the placement. Since my teams have allowed me to take on more complex projects I have felt extremely valued whilst in both of my placements.

I felt the induction week was a little slow paced and feel like more could have been done to ensure a smooth transition into the business. The training we have been provided with has been brilliant and very structured. Usually every 4-6 weeks we will leave our placements to take part in a college week. During college weeks we are required to complete work and assignments so that when we go back to our placements we do not have to worry about completing any assignments. Inside and outside of our college week we receive constant support from our assessors and managers. As previously mentioned every 12 weeks or so we are required to have a 12 weekly review to check up on our progress, wellbeing and make me aware of the support that BAE Systems can offer. Tasks are shared between the apprentices and allow us to get involved with organising different events outside of our placements. Team hierarchies are explained thoroughly when joining a new placement to make you aware of who is who and what their job involves day to day. The programme is well organised with training sessions and placements however as previously mentioned I feel that the induction week could have been better prepared.

Within the first week of starting the apprenticeship you are assigned an assessor in which you can go to if you have any issues or problems within or outside of work. You can also arrange meetings with your assessor to catch up with assignments or other pieces of work you need help completing. BAE Systems has a huge support platform. if you are experiencing problems either at home or within the workplace you are able to go to your assessors, your managers or occupational health which can be found on site at both Samlesbury and Warton. BAE employees have fantastic attitude towards offering help and assistance if you need it, there is never anything that is too much trouble and if they are unable to help they help you seek out who would be best to talk to about your specific request/issue. It is nice to know that the support is there if ever it is needed whilst both on my apprenticeship and when I finish.

Whilst completing your placements you should receive plenty of support from your manager. During both of my placements I have received plenty of support from not only my manager but my whole team. If you are having issues within a placement or need to speak to someone in the HR team around your employment they are always happy to help. You also have the option of having a mentor; a mentor is someone outside of your team who you are able to meet up with to discuss your development needs and progress. Your mentor should provide support if you are having issues within your placement and provide encouragement. Support is very easy to access as there are many different routes in which you can go down, for example you have; your assessor, manager, team members, fellow apprentices, apprenticeship leads, HR team, and your mentor. If you are having particularly bad problems and are needing to talk to someone professional BAE Systems also offers counselling both on site and off site. However your other sources of support should also be able to offer advice and guidance. Again the level of support BAE Systems provides is next to none and nothing is ever too much hassle.

As I am a slightly older apprentice I have various outgoings that the younger apprentice may not have, for example board/rent, food, vehicle running costs/repairs, bills, house savings and other various payments. The wage is not unreasonable however since I worked previously I was aware that in order to join the apprenticeship scheme and gain a new qualification I would need to take a pay cut. The pay cut has meant I have had to watch my spending and manage my outgoings however it is liveable. Since joining BAE Systems my travel costs have risen dramatically. As I travel from Blackpool to Samlesbury my commute is longer than most and this requires me to spend £40+ on fuel each week. However BAE Systems does give apprentices £2.33 in travel pay each day and although this does not cover anywhere near my costs for travel every little helps. My daily costs vary, since I have to manage my money so I am able to pay for bills etc. I am wary of spending money day to day. I tend to spend less thought-out the week if I can help it and allow myself a budget for the weekend so I am still able to socialise with family and friends as much as possible. I do feel like my social life has taken a hit due to available funds however off my current wage with careful management and savings I have managed to book a few holidays for the year.

There are plenty of opportunities both inside and outside of work. BAE Systems hosts a variety of events outside of work in which you can get involved with such as awards evenings, PM Anniversary Ball and other various social events such as Christmas do's. When on the apprenticeship you are also required to take part in a week’s intensive 'Outward Bound' course which is a week dedicated to team building activities and problem solving. This is done through activities such as orienteering, canoeing, rock climbing and an expedition. Whilst on the apprenticeship you also have plenty of opportunities to put yourself forward for volunteering at certain events or getting involved with the local community. I have recently been able to get involved with the Apprentice Awards Event, Mind Talk and Networking Event and I have also been able to apply for the German Exchange. As the Samlesbury site is quite central and easily accessible from the motorway this also means that BAE Systems are able to use a variety of different venues to host events. BAE Systems offers access to a leisure club both at Samlesbury and Warton and also offers various sports teams in which BAE Systems employees are able to join.

Yes

BAE Systems is a hugely successful global business with many opportunities and experiences on offer. I would especially recommend joining the apprenticeship programme as you are able to gain real world experience and a qualification all whilst getting paid.

BAE Systems is big on Diversity, Inclusion and Equality within the business and so you should just be you. This should be both reflected in the application process and when you attend your interview. During the interview stages you will be required to have a one to one interview as well as complete a group interview with a select few of the other applicants. Once you have completed your application and passed the interview stages you will be required to attend an 'Onboarding' process which enables you to be fully security cleared so you can work in certain areas of the business. This is nothing to be worried about as is it mostly just information about the different platforms and the certain rules that come along with each platform. There are a plethora of experience and opportunities within BAE Systems and it is important that you truly reflect your past experiences within your application and when attending your interview. The application process may ask something such as 'Give an example of a time when you worked well as part of a team' and you could relate this to an orienteering activity you completed as part of a team, a football match or a group project. It is imperative that you use your own real world experiences so you are able to talk freely and confidently about each experience. My biggest piece of advice would be just to be the best version of yourself both on paper and in person.