Technical Engineering Apprentice Review

I am a technical engineer in which I have to take part in a number of placements in different areas. Placements are very varied and therefore it is difficult for me to specify my job role however, I need to ensure I am following all regulations at all times, take responsibilty for all the work that I do and also complete job packs to fulfill the criteria for NVQ.

Yes. In work every day, I am required to communicate with a number of people aross the company. Communication is a huge skill that is required wherever I am in a placement so this skill has developed massively since being an apprentice with BAE. My confidence has also grown enourmously and I am able to take responsibilty for all my actions. I am able to undertake a job with minimal support and understand how to check my work is correct on my own accord.

I throughly enjoy my apprenticeship and my work every single day. To say I am proud of where I work is an understatement and have never felt like a single day is a waste. Every where I go, people are extremely welcoming and it allows me to make excelletn connections across the company and make friends. The programme is no where near what I expected. I didn't really know what to expect before I came here and tried to keep an open mind every day. Coming straight from school as well, people are very supportive of me. I have never felt a sense of belonging like I do in my apprenticeship.

I feel extremely valued every single day. Being one of the youngest and also being a girl makes me not the stereotypical engineer. However, I never feel set apart at all. People are so supportive of me and my work and I am always pushed in the right direction to succeed. I am never given useless jobs to do, but jobs that are going to support the company and myself and to me this is very important. I never feel like there is a divide between me and everyone else. I am treated exactly the same.

I had 10 months down at the training centre where the programme was very well structured and I was trained my exceptional instructors. I feel extremely lucky in this sense. On placement, I have 18 weeks in each before I move on and am placed in a rota with all the other technical apprentices as to have I will move around in my placements. Before the 18 weeks is up in a placement, I have a few weeks notice as to where I will be heading next so I have enough time to recieve contact before moving. I have the support of an incredible assessor and I am exceptionally lucky to have his support every day. He guides be through my programme with no trouble at all and will never leave me unsure of anything.

My training provider allows me to alwaysget in touch with someone if I am unsure of anything. My assessor is always on had if I have any questions, queries or problems. Even the most minor of points is never too much trouble and therefore I akways feel at ease if I need to ask anything. This allows me to not get too worried or stressed out over any problems and allows me to just enjoy my work.

The support I recieve is truely exceptional. I cannot really stress it enough. Nothing is every too much trouble. I am rarely placed with a mentor who isn't supportive of apprentices in work and therefore I am always encouraged to fullfil my work successfully. People are also very encpuraging of more girls coming into the programme so I never feel out of place.

Coming straight from school, I am in a particularly good place with regards to my costs. I am still living with my parents and they only require minimum for board so this doesn't affect me as dramatically as if I had moved out. Driving takes up quite a bit of my salary, however, I am never strapped for cash. When I started at the age of 16, my salary was very good.

I always try and get involved outside of work as much as I can. Partly because I am so proud of my company but also because I genuinely enjoy it and it is what I want to do, such as recruitment fayres. I am also a bit part of scouting and this has always been a huge part of my life. I started as one of the first girls in scouts and have since been through explorers and I am now in network. Upon turning 18, I am looking to become a leader in scouts.

Yes

Simply, for all the above reasons. I cannot stress to someone how much I love my job. The people are truely incredible and I am always appreciated in my work.

Be yourself throughout the entire recruitment process. If you are enthusiastic to be apart of the company and you really are passionate about wanting to work for BAE Systems then it will shine through. Take everyday as it comes and don't be too apprehensive for anything that is to come. Ask questions. Get yourself noticed for the right reasons.