Apprentice Aircraft Fitter Review

Craft apprentice, my daily tasks include conducting mechanical test and build procedures on military aircraft. it is my responsibility to make sure that i am working safely and that the work i do is of a high standard.

I have completed a year at BAE's training school in Preson where i developed hand skills in drilling, filing, machining and working on a CAD system. I am currently close to completing my two years of shop floor experiance where i have been moving around the company every three-four months. This has given me a sound knowledge base and has help solidify my mechanical skills on real aircraft. I have gained qualifications such as ONC and i am currently working towards a HNC. I am also working towards a NVQ level 3 in aircraft manufacturing.

The work i varied and i enjoy the technologies that i get to work with, the different teams that i work with in my shop floor experiance are very good and are used to training apprentices and so you never feel alienated when joining a new section of the business. The company culture is very good and most people will treat you with respect and try and teach you to the best of there abilities. I have enjoyed the vast majority of my time as an apprentice within BAE Systems.

Managers are usually keen to help new apprentices develop their skills and will make sure that they have a job to do and a skilled man to work with throughout their placement. Due to the size of the company hard work can sometimes go without recognition but if a manager or supervisor sees you doing a good job they will give you positive feedback. The amount of Involvement i have in tasks is usually high as you are expected to work at the same level as the me doing the job full time.

There is a very good structure within the BAE apprenticeship scheme, firstly you are inducted into the scheme and given all the information that you need to understand the entire programme, then you are given a year of workshop training in a private training centre whilst having classroom traing also. the college work continiues throughout your apprenticeship untill you decide to stop or the company is not willing to fund it anymore. you then go onto a two year shop floor training programme where you move into different sections of the business to learn as much as possible, while moving around you are incrementaly eviewed by your assessor.

My assessor is accessable my email or by phone when i need advice or if i need to schedule a meeting. there is support for apprentices within the training department of BAE so if i need any help i can just ask. there is a structure complaintes procedure that every apprentice is made aware of, however if a problem arises then you can usually work it out within the current department you are in. the general attitude towards supporting apprentices is good but you will alswys get people who are not as willing to help you as they should be.

managers and supervisors anre usually very responsive to apprentices needs and are aware of the needs that apprentices may have such as NVQ work anf job pack that need to be completed. I have not had any experience with the HR team but i am aware of the procedures that i can take to use their services.the skilled men that you get to work with are mainly very happy to teach you how to perform task that you have not done before and they will guide you with things you are nor sure about.

for the first year of the apprenticeship the salary is quite low and so more attention must be made to social costs and living costs however the salary does increace at stages throughout the apprenticeship and so it only gets easier in terms of cost. the final salary increase is high and so the final wage is very good and it comes with high job security and the ability to do overtime, shifts and progress.

there are always opportunities to go to work related events outside of work such as volunteering at airshows, apprentice evening, charity events and promotional events. there are also opportunities to get envolved with local schools to raise awairness of manufacturing jobs and the positives they provide. there are also sporting clubs that you can join.

Yes

Because the work is enjoyable and the working culture is laid back but professional. the jobs that you do are unique and very interesting if you like working with fighter jets and high tech equipemnt.

Research the job that you are applying for and make sure that you have a well rounded knowledge of the company before you apply, the companies mantra is Trusted. Inovative and Bold so when you apply for the scheme make sure you have an interest in the job that you are applying for and you show enthusiasm for the company.