Business Appretice Review

I am a Business Apprentice and currently in the PM function on F-35. My daily tasks differ from day to day however I am involved in contract closures so I have to find out information from colleagues to ensure everything is closed down properly. I have to interact with many different people in the business.

I am currently working towards an NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration. I have attended a few different training courses ones being respect and banter which was an extremely interesting course. I have improve my people skills and also my confidence as I have been pushed out of my comfort zone a few times.

I really enjoy the programme that I am on. My current team were very welcoming and always there to help if ever needed. The apprenticeship met my expectations and I am really enjoying my time as a Business Apprentice. BAE Systems are an extremely good company to work for and I am excited to see what happens In the future working here.

I feel valued here and I think being an apprentice is very good as I am able to move around the business and meet new people. I feel appreciated from my manager and feel that the work I am doing is helpful. The apprentices are recognise for their hard work not just in our placements but other activities such a charity work we get involved in. I am able to get involved in all tasks and projects that are there in my team.

The apprenticeship is well structured and organised. When joining the company back in September we had 2 weeks induction where we were taken on site tours and given all the relevant information that was needed before we went into our placements. Once in our placement we were given training if it was required such a workspace as this is used every day to store documents on. We were given the chance to have a mentor if we wanted.

I have catch ups with my assessors every 12 weeks to ensure everything in my placement is going well. I am also able to speak about any concerns I have and talk through my college work. We are given guidance on who to speak to if we have any problems. The assessors and managers are very helpful and supportive towards me.

The apprentices receive a lot of support for our managers and also from the early careers team. My manager is very supportive and any opportunities that come up she pushes me to get involved. The HR team are very helpful and supportive. We are told who to contact if we had any problems or needed any extra support. Apprentices are looked after very well and i am very comfortable in my job

My salary meets my cost. As an apprentice the salary is lower however throughout our apprentice this rises. We are given travel costs every month and if we were to travel to different sites the expenses are paid for. I am able to pay for my own things and do not need support from anyone, this gives me responsibility. I am also still able to socialise and pay for any daily costs.

Yes, being an apprentices there any lots of different opportunities outside of work and BAE Systems fully support these for example in December there was the GRIM challenge event that we could get involved in and represent BAE Systems. The apprentices get involved in a lot of charity work such a raising money for the homeless, volunteering at hospices etc. We are also given the opportunities to get involved in the Princes Trust. For the apprentices who enjoy football there were charity football matches that were set up.

Yes

I would recommend the Business Apprenticeship here at BAE Systems as you are able to have real life experience in a working environment as well as getting a NVQ Level 3. There are so many opportunities that you can involved in and the company will completely support any of these. You are given the chance to move around the business by having the 20 week placements and therefore you can see what you enjoy and what you maybe don't enjoy as much.

For the application process I would say to put as much information about you as you can and explain what you enjoy doing and have been involved in. On the interviews be yourself and be prepared. Learn as much as you can about the company. For the assessments days where you have your group activities again, be yourself and interact as much as you can. The on boarding process make sure you read your emails and ensure you give all the correct documents that they ask for. I would have like to have been told a little more about what functions there are and have them explained a little more.