Higher Engineering Apprentice Review

I am a higher engineering apprentice for BAE Systems. My daily tasks include day release to college on a Monday, where I am completing a HND in electrical engineering, on a Tuesday to Friday I work on the Cowes site within a radar tam creating a monitoring system to aid in the next generation of product. Internally I work within a small team of subject matter experts, and when the monitoring system is complete I will work alongside the client to get the relevant data

I am currently gaining both a HND in electrical engineering and an NVQ level 4 qualification n my workplace. Last year I gained a HNC in Engineering. Internally have received relevant health and safety training and conduct at work training. I have learnt communication skills and self-research skills within my role working on project covering areas I have not previously work in.

I thoroughly enjoy the apprenticeship programme; the workload is varied and interesting helped by the 4 monthly rotations providing variation and greater breath of engineering knowledge. The team both of other apprentices and the people within the business I work with are great and have a shared team effort to achieve goals. The apprenticeship has exceeded my expectation both in work load and help available to achieve the qualifications.

I feel that I am a valued asset within my company. My manager appreciates me and will ensure he will help me to the best of his ability with any issues I have. Internally the apprentices are given the same bonus as other employees showing a team spirit and value. I have been given my own relevant project which will have a real impact showing I am a useful resource by my team.

My programme is well organised with a set structure of college day release and 4 monthly placement rotations. There are many people I can go to for support including my manger, higher mangers the HR team and business specialists. We are reviewed officially by our manger every 3 months to ensure progress is being made.

The training provider is not as helpful as would be desired. Some of the lecturers are unable to teach and do not aid us with assignment work. However others are brilliant and aim to cover everything and support subjects they don’t even teach. The college management is poor and bad at communication. 

My manager is an excellent supporting role, available most of the time to help with queries. He aims to help resolve everything and whenever he cannot he will put me in contact with a relevant individual within the business or outside if necessary. The HR team are not based locally but still easy to contact and will remedy issues well.

I believe my salary is very good. I can afford living costs easily, since I received a second year pay rise. The travel costs are minimal as I live near to my place of work, and travelling any further is company paid. I can easily cover my day to day spending as well as social ventures. The wage represents the location of where the role is.

Outside of work there are many opportunities available, however they do not seem to be shared of offered very equally. These are both stem events, which are never given enough notice to attend or company conferences where the same apprentices are invited without other being considered. The area we are based has some interesting outside of work activities but he city itself does not have much to offer.

Yes

I would recommend BAE Systems to a friend because of the great benefits of the company such as qualifications and progression. There is a competitive wage with very interesting work in many areas to interest multiple people. The work can also be tailored to fit your own background and specialise in areas of your interest.

When applying to BAE I would ensure that you have the correct predicted grades to make sure you are not removed early on in the competitive application process. The interview day is the most important part where a positive attitude and confidence must be shown in order to give the company the best impression of you to increase chances of employment.