Technical apprentice Review

Technical apprentice, Project Management placement. Currently evaluating the progression for the programme in monthly reviews, annotating costs and discrepancies in data. Working on new document retention policies for the project alongside working members off staff. Evaluating documents approaching 3 year automatic deletion, ensuring the owners are contacted frequently to remind them.

Currently completing my level 3 NVQ alongside a btec - moving onto HNC next year and progressing to HND. Completed many courses through the company including emergency response training within the office environment. Gained skills in excel, word and improved my maths and grammar skills. In the company we are always offered training and extra help online too on our intranet site. I know if i wanted to improve skills in a particular subject matter i can always ask for this help from a senior member of staff or my apprenticeship supervisor as well.

I enjoy my programme quite a lot really; there are numerous placements to challenge me in different ways. We get a whole feel for the company and what each section does to support a programme. The work is challenging but can be made fun by the staff and peers. There are some placements i prefer more than others and some which have surprised me as well. I worked on the shop floor for a couple of weeks with the quality team and i really enjoyed this however i did not necessarily expect too.

I feel like we are included with all work events and not left out in important meetings and information briefs with other team member and the workforce as whole. The managers always help when its needed and recognition events are valued across the business. We always get emails from HR about particular events and site charity events too which is nice. I definitely feel valued at work as i am looked after well and i feel as part of the team.

The entire NVQ process is very well structured, everyone is always happy to help with advice on layout an presentation during written logs. The plan is very well laid out with placement rotations stated in a spreadsheet which we are sent out yearly before being updated again for the next year and re-sent to us. Although there are only a few members of staff who have a job to look after the apprentices, they do such a good job between them and i would definitely feel lost without them.

When needed, the college staff always help when stuck on questions or theories. There is a very well structured guideline to the topics in the qualification, and the challenges are achievable by everyone! My HNC will be undertaken at HETA in Hull and i think that this place is a lot better and suited to our apprentices compared to a previous institute used which was Hull College. Although colleges aren't necessarily as good as universities, i have heard well of HETA and that they provide a lot of help so my hopes are fairly high.

Again, the employer always helps when there is an issue. As mentioned previously i am very lucky and happy with the apprentice support team within BAE Systems and i would feel lost without them. We are always updated with news and are told what will be happening to us withing the business etc. I know if we need any help we can always go to our managers or supervisors and i think most of the apprentices would not hesitate one bit with this.

At BAE Systems we are very well paid considering my current position in the company as an apprentice. I can easily pay for my bills and my car and I'm still only 17! I always buy what I like when I like and can still save some for the next pay packet. I am looking to move out possibly with a friend soon, so we can share rent and bills and each save up to buy our own house each in the future. Comparing my apprenticeship salary to others i have heard of around the Hull area, i am very lucky.

There are numerous fund raisers and clubs all year round. You are encouraged to participate in these events as they bond you with others with similar interests across the buisness. We typically hold a few charity events throughout the year as well which can be quite fun to take part in, from bake sales within the business to charity walks and runs around Hull. It's nice that the company cares for different charities and organisations and they give back to the local community as well. It makes employees feel like a family rather than a workforce sometimes.

Yes

They establish a very good career early on from school and supply you with the qualifications needed to progress through the business and your own career. I feel like the salary is really good compared to other apprenticeships of a similar stature and the salary that you go onto as a full time employee is pretty decent as well and can help my future goal of buying my own house and having a nice car to drive too. I would say it can be very beneficial for anyone joining and there is probably a job within the company suited for everyone.

Remember to always be yourself and highlight your strengths regardless on their relevancy. Always be keep to work in a team. Keep focused and act with professionalism in mind. Also remember to note what charity work you have done before as i found this to be a strength of mine during my interview process, they seemed particularly interested in this. Try to look up the business too and learn more about our products and values as a business.