Business apprentice Review

I am Currently working in CI which involves me finding and highlighting problems that are occurring within the business. this involves collecting data and updating boards. so each day can be different as you do not know what issues will arise as well as dealing with on going issues. during my time in CI I am responsible for updating multiple boards each week checking to make sure all audits and ICS has been complete. when working I will need to interact with all levels of people including management and team leaders as they are the people responsible for completing audits and ICS

throughout my time in CI I have learned a lot about how parts move through the business, since being in here it has become a lot more clear on how the business works as well as previously I have spent most of my time in offices so it is great to see how work is like in an engineering environment. I have undergone training on MOS which stands for manufacturing operating systems which has been an eye opener of what is expected of me during my time in this role. I also feel I have developed massively in my communication skills as I interact with a number of different people

I enjoy my programme thoroughly, I think everything about an apprenticeship is great here! you received the best training and a lot of it and are paid well for what you do. from my experience the work I have done has been meaningful and relevant to my objects, I receive a huge amount of support in trying to develop me and get the best out of me and everyone works as a team regardless of function. since joining BAE Systems is has been everything and more I had been expecting and now look forward to finishing my apprenticeship

Wherever I have been within BAE Systems I have always felt valued and my managers have always shown appreciation for tasks I have completed well, whenever I get involved in projects or discussion in meetings, I am always listened to and my ideas spoke about, which I personally think can mean a lot when trying to find your feet within a company, especially when it is the size of BAE Systems. The only reason I scored it 8 is because although I still feel valued, sometimes when you leave the business into the college environment (NVQ) it feels as though I can be treated like a child and not the young adults the apprentices are.

although I believe the programme is extremely good, the organisation I have found to be poor, I do believe it is being changed to help with this but due to there only being two assessors for three sites it can become difficult to be able to speak with them and receive support other than in the reviews that take place, so sometimes you end up getting support from other apprentices. also in regards to pay increases these end up late and therefore you end up receiving back pay.

for this I have given a 5 as I believe they give you great support and really do wish to help you, but they are unable to due to lack of resources, we have apprentices across 3 Sites which means they are constantly really busy so it can be difficult to get time, once they are aware you need extra support they are able to provide this and encourage you to let them know if you do require anything. like I said previously, I believe something is being done about this which would increase the time available to be able to help with the apprenticeship

BAE Systems put a lot of things in place to support you and try to make your life at work as easy and safe as possible, my manager will set me objectives to meet and support as much as he can for me to achieve these but also help with my PDR and try to help me get to where i want to be in my career. As a company they provide help with any addiction or problems like that with employee help line available and they also support with medical problems with occupational health on site and providing medical leave if a hospital visit is required. but at BAE Systems they want the best out of you and will do everything they can to support you being the best you can be.

As it stand after the recent pay rise I am a lot more comfortable than I was but will really see the change when I come out of my time. The wage certainly is not small/low and for an apprenticeship is very high. but when starting here I had to take a pay cut from where I originally was and have only just managed to get back to that wage now, but luckily I just pay board at my house so I was able to reduce my cost of living and as my wage increased I paid more to my mum. during my apprenticeship I also just had to cut back on something and not buy so many luxury's, which was not an issue as in the long run it will be completely worth it.

At BAE Systems there are many opportunities outside of work. with being an engineering company we support STEM which stands for science, Technology, engineering and maths which involves promoting these subjects to young people in education, this usually involves running activities in colleges and schools. not only that BAE Systems likes to get involved in charity events a lot for the chosen charity of the year or even places like St Catherine's hospice where we recently did some gardening and painted some fences. Probably the biggest events you can be involved in are the air shows we attend as we built some of the aircraft performing we usually attend with a stand handing out information and promoting the company, this also gives you the chance to do a bit of travelling.

Yes

Because out of all the places I have worked BAE Systems is by the best and most supportive company I know about. They will provide you with all the training and tools for you to be the best you can and it gives you the chance to be involved in multi million pound contracts and see how a big business works. They pay very good money and have a system to allow promotion and to strive to better yourself.

to get as much stuff under you belt as possible before applying, such as Jobs, qualifications, volunteering work any projects you possibly can do or get involved in even if it is something you set up your self to restore and old car or something. this will help massively during the interview phase. I think the piece of advise I would of liked to of been told would be to be yourself and remember if you seem nervous people will pick up on it, they are human as well and have been in the exact same position and some point remember to do your research and smile!