Apprentice Technician Review

As an Apprentice Technician in Hardware Engineering I get involved with PCB Layout design, circuit design, 3D printing, fault finding, daily meetings and action/progress reviews. I also have met customers in both training events and customer meetings on various projects for the company. As an apprentice I also attend college and any necessary training required to progress through my role.

As part of the apprenticeship I achieved a Level 3 BTEC in Electronic Engineering with MidKent College as well as an NVQ with IPS International. I also had the opportunity to achieve the IPC-610, an internal training course and qualification in soldering. Currently I am working on a HNC in Electronic Engineering with MidKent College and the University of Greenwich.

During my time so far with BAE Systems I have enjoyed my time here and the variety of work I have been given and opportunities I have experienced. I enjoy working on a variety of projects and in numerous teams as it means you are not doing the same work everyday. I also enjoy the culture of BAE and participating in a number of STEM events.

During my third year I have settled into a permanent placement in Hardware Engineering and have become to feel like a valued member of the department as I am constantly being given new challenging work from my manager and being encouraged to participate in new opportunities to progress. I feel as if my work and contribution is valued as I get feedback from my team and management regularly.

The structure of the apprenticeship is incredibly well organised and even all put in an apprentice manual which you are given when you start your second year back on site as you will spend the first year off site training. In the second year you cycle round different departments on site which are all scheduled and described in the manual. Any questions are also answered by any ex-apprentices or HR.

In the first and second year the training provider (HR) provides any support you need and are very accessible, even when off site in the first year, as they provide all contact details on a card on your first day. HR also have a good attitude to providing support and are always available to discuss any problems with during the entire apprenticeship.

Now I am in my third year I receive a lot more support from my manager rather than HR as I am employed by department rather than HR. However both my manager and HR are always available to talk to and discuss any problems with, although HR are more suited to deal with apprentice problems such as college or apprentice activities, whereas my manager is more suited to deal with my development and work related issues.

As I currently live at home my salary meets my living costs comfortably which includes my travel costs and daily expenses, however I have to somewhat budget my social costs as the salary is not great compared to other apprenticeships. The company are honest about the salary so that you will be aware of it early on. But with the opportunities and training (which is all free of course) the company provides the salary isn't too bad.

BAE Systems Rochester provides a great number of opportunities during the apprenticeship to visit schools, volunteer, and participate with the local community by touring local students around site in weeks such as Engineering Taster Week and day visits. Rochester also has a wellbeing society which organise events to the Westend, airshows, and more which anyone can get involved in.

Yes

I am enjoying my time here and it has met all of my expectations and more.

Discuss any problems you have encountered in the past and how you overcame them and what you learnt on your application form. On your assessment day you will participate in tasks and have an interview, the interview is rather informal and more of a conversation to get to know you and how well you will fit into the company and roles.