Advance Engineering Apprentice Review

I am currently an Advanced Engineering Apprentice Technician at BAE Systems Brough site. As part of my apprenticeship I am involved in a variety of different tasks depending on which department I am currently in. As our apprenticeship scheme works on a 3-4month departmental cycle, my day to day activities change. In one department I was dealing with different Hawk customers from around the world, and in another I have been involved with running a project in altering some active drawings.

Throughout the apprenticeship, we have the opportunities to develop skills we possess as well as being able to learn new ones too. While working in the work environment we are constantly exposed to teamwork and communication situations as part of our roles in the company. In addition to this, at the start of the apprenticeship, we went on an Outward Bounds course to help us further develop our communication and teamwork skills by subjecting us to different activities such as expeditions and gorge climbing. As well as developing old skills, I have also learnt new skills. As part of our training, we were taught have to use different versions of CAD (Computer Aided Design)though different lessons and courses.

As part of our apprenticeship involves moving to different departments of the business the work is varied. However, this came sometimes mean that the work is interesting and engaging, but it can also mean that the work can be dull and boring. This means we can get an all round view of what departments we enjoy and with ones we don't. The people in the company are kind and talkative which has made me feel welcome into the business environment allowing me to enjoy my work more.

I feel as though I am valued within the company. I have been praised on many occasions for my good work and attitude towards any task I have been given. As well as this, we have apprentice awards for outstanding work as well as above and beyond awards which I was fortunate enough to receive. As stated in a previous question, I have recently been given lead role in a project within design, this has made me feel valued as it has shown me that I am trusted enough to complete this task to the required level.

When first starting the apprenticeship, we were give a weeks worth of introduction into company standards,what to expect from the apprenticeship and what is expected of us. We also get introductions into each individual departments upon arriving which underline what to expect within the department as well as heath and safety. We are given regular training days that allow us to improve our skills and knowledge such as a Catia V5 specific CAD course. One day a week we have our college day that allows us to be able to earn a HNC in engineering. On a 12 weekly cycle, myself, my supervisor and my assessor meet up and discuss my progress. This allows us to highlight any areas in which I am strong in as well as any area which need improving.

The support we receive from our assessor/ training provider is phenomenal. He regularly goes above and beyond the recommendations to ensure that we get the best out of this apprenticeship as possible. He tries his hardest to ensure that he sees us once every 1-2 weeks to see how we're managing as well as giving us a chance to ask any queries that we have regarding the apprenticeship or work in general. As well as this, his office door is always open for us to come up and ask any questions we may have.

I feel as though I get a fair amount of support from my managers. I am able to easily go and ask for any help or advice regarding work. If I have a problem of any size, I feel as though I can easily message our Early Careers HR adviser for any advice or counselling on matters work or non work related.

Currently, at the moment I spend on average £45 a week on fuel cost to get to work and from my house due to living a considerable distance away from work. This however is balanced out how low my living costs including my board and food bills, but this means that I have a hourly commute to work in the morning and the same home in the evening meaning that 2 hours of my day are spent travelling (provided there is no traffic). I am considering renting a single bedroom apartment closer to work later in the apprenticeship when I will be on a higher wage as my currently salary would not be able to sustain it.

The Borugh site has a strong bond with it's local community and regularly hosts events to better engage itself with the local residents. As well as hosting events, the company has ties with gyms and businesses that allow us to get discounts at different places. The company have also funded us to join a engineering institution for free whereby they pay for our monthly subscription. We are also engaged in different charity volunteering events such as fun runs.

Yes

I feel as though this apprenticeship has opened up many avenues for me to explore and better myself in the coming future. It has allowed me to develop old skills as well as allowing me to add new skills to my knowledge. I feel as though this apprenticeship is the best course of action for anyone wanting to go into the industry of engineering as it allows you to gain the necessary knowledge, experience and qualifications needed to work successfully in the industry.

When applying for the apprenticeship ensure that you use CV standard wording and language. Make sure you know what you're applying for so that you have an understanding of what to expect when/ if you get here. For the interview make sure you do prior research about the company and site. As well as this you'll be asked to bring allow with you a project that you have completed. This project needs to be engineering based such as fixing a bike and something you have personally done.