Technical Apprentice Review

My day to day duties vary due to carrying out six week periods in different departments for my second year within the apprenticeship. By going around the different areas within company every six weeks means my roles vary depending on the department. Currently I am working in product support on the entire BOEING fleet, with paper work of units, and also testing and fault finding the BOEING units.

I have learnt many new skills and developing skills I already had since coming to work at the Rochester site, since coming from two external training providers for my first year. The skills I developed and learnt in my first year at college has helped me with my progression on site.

I very much enjoy being an apprentice for BAE Systems, it makes me want to get up in the morning and get to work. It is a very friendly environment and every team that I have had the pleasure to work along side with for six weeks at a time, in each department has been a joy, and very educational and helpful. BAE Systems looks after you very well as an individual by offering many different options from promotions to an occupational health service. Being an apprentice under this programme is very pleasing and rewarding.

As an apprentice feeling valued can be difficult from time to time as you are an apprentice, however you are valued by your current supervisor when you work hard and really get involved with the team and make a difference in your time with them. I felt very valued when I received a £100 bonus for my hard work within a team during a QPM placement.

My apprenticeship programme is very well organised and structure. For the first year we attend an external training centre, plus a college for once day a week. This is to carry out our Ex Dip - EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (QCF) (EEE) and BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Electronic Engineering. The second year of the apprenticeship provides further training on site at Rochester moving around to 7 different areas within the company, with various inductions and training throughout both years. Our NVQ and BTEC are still continued throughout this. The third year we select our favourite placements from year two to interview for, once successful extensive training in that department will be done for a year, and potentially doing the HNC if you would like too. This is a very good structure as an apprentice, and is very well organised, and very simple.

From our external provider for the first year IPS International, the support provided was excellent, They always had the time to lecture, support and guide us, tutors were always available to talk to, to resolve problems and give feedback. They were always keen in supporting all students and it was a very enjoyable educational experience. For our attendance one day a week to Mid Kent College - Gillingham Campus, the experience is not as pleasurable as the level of support was not to the same excellent standard as IPS international however generally this training provider is supportive.

Our support as an apprentice is constant, from our Boss to our current placemen supervisors, when support is required, support is given. This is judged by us when we need support however in certain situations support is provided anyway. If there are any problems that occur for example with college then we can get help and support to resolve the problems happening. We appreciate some problems take time to resolve but the support and communication throughout this process is as it should be.

The salary for a second year apprentice is liveable to pay living, travel and other expenses. These vary from person to person within the apprenticeship and the money can be tight for some people. However if our money is managed well and budgeted correctly like I do then the salary is good for the age range of apprentices.

There are many opportunities outside of work, the chances of this vary depending on which department you are working in. Examples of this are going away on business trips for various reasons in many different places around the world. The working community also ensure there are opportunities for everyone to get involved in.

Yes

I would recommend friends to work for BAE Systems because it is a very rewarding, satisfying job to carry out from day to day, with new technology being introduced daily with many exciting new technology being used in todays world. We are the worlds leading company for many of our products we produce at BAE Systems. Coming in through the apprenticeship was an amazing way to get through into the business.

You should ensure that you have researched a lot into the apprenticeship you are applying for to ensure that you know what you are applying for and If that is for you. The application process is lengthy and requires time. You also need to carry out a series of online tests to get through to the interview stages. The interview day will take around 4-5 hours completing different tasks such as the interview and team challenges to solve problems. Should you be successful you will receive the all information needed and other further information such as the experience and opportunities you will get.