EDAS Apprentice Review

As an Engineering Degree Apprentice, normal day to day work changes quite often. Placement line managers go out of their way to ensure you experience as much as possible. Task vary from being hands on with the products carrying out testing and investigations, through to writing reports on the work you have been doing. Apprentice responsibility depends massively on the type of work they're doing. As an EDAS apprentice, colleagues see you as a dependable and intelligent person, therefore treat you accordingly.

Skills are picked up and developed everyday, with the type of work that the business exposes you to it's hard not to immerse yourself in a world of knowledge. The type of products we manufacture are amazing pieces of technology therefore everyone involved is highly knowledgeable and usually happy to help. Skills vary from basic interaction and networking to deeper knowledge skills. The company is constantly developing its employees by offering many different training courses, thus enabling you to develop yourself in areas which you may not have in your normal day to day job.

The scheme I am on is fantastic, it offers both academic development and more importantly company experience. Academia is good as it helps develop your knowledge in certain areas, but in my opinion, nothing will beat learning information whilst on the job. Work changes day to day and offers a chance to find out information and be involved in activities which would never normally be possible. I have personally developed a massive amount over the course so far and I have had the opportunity to travel the country carrying out tasks.

BAE Systems value every employee equally, help and advice is available to apprentices just the same as it would to normal employees. The company sees apprentices as a fresh look on day to day work and values this massively. Some managers show their appreciation in different ways, but providing you put the work in, you will get a lot out of it. I personally have been presented with awards at the company which show that they value passion and determination. Even with a limited amount of experience you will still have a different outlook on things, the company do value this.

As the scheme is still in its development phase, there is always room for improvement. Sometimes getting into contact with the apprenticeship managers can be difficult, but now that it has been fed back that this is an issue, there has been changes made. The scheme now has a skills coach and a time and attendance points of contact. This makes getting information and advice much easier. The scheme will change over the coming years; becoming smarter and more efficient - with the help of apprentice feedback.

Support is always readily available from the company no matter what the issue is. Help is available on the academic side, as they put in place support plans with the college to ensure your issues are resolved. Help is always available in work from most colleagues; whether its help with work, health and safety, admin etc. There is also support for matters at home, employee assistance program enables you to contact help 24/7/235 a year - whether it be stress, health or bereavement, the assistance program is there to help you with any needs for free.

Support is always readily available from the company no matter what the issue is. Help is available on the academic side, as they put in place support plans with the college to ensure your issues are resolved. Help is always available in work from most colleagues; whether its help with work, health and safety, admin etc. There is also support for matters at home, employee assistance program enables you to contact help 24/7/235 a year - whether it be stress, health or bereavement, the assistance program is there to help you with any needs for free.

The salary offered on the scheme is competitive with similar schemes and personally I find it a good amount. There are questions as to whether it is inline with the other schemes at the company but this is something which will be sorted out. There is also a question as to whether the pay increase judgement is fair, but again this is not something which I worry about as I am focussed on my development and my current wage is sufficient.

There are quite a few opportunities for employees to get involved in events outside of work; for example volunteering is available. Sometimes it is hard to get into events as admin get in the way, but once all of that is sorted then there are many different opportunities. The company encourages you to get involved and help push employees to develop skills such as interaction with members of the public. There is a gym near site and also football pitches, I haven't used them personally but colleagues have always recommended them.

Yes

The company is a very good one to work for, there are many benefits they offer and treat employees very well. The starting salary is great and aids you to develop in the academic side without the massive University costs. Support is readily available and the experiences you will have are one of a kind. I am passionate about the company, the scheme and my fellow apprentices, this makes me enjoy coming to work everyday.

Spend a good amount of time refining your application, make sure you apply before the deadline and most importantly be passionate about the job. BAE Systems can see your passion and will help give you the tools to develop this into a mass of knowledge.