Engineering Technician Apprentice Review

Systems Safety Engineer: Currently own the functional safety aspects of the system and its integration. This includes responsibilities such as writing the safety report surrounding the system and creating the system architectural model. This requires me to be integrated within the design teams to understand the system fully and ensure it will work to the correct requirements while in service.

Enterprise Architect modelling using SysML (Systems Modelling Language) to help articulate the system and show the interfaces it has within the ship. Isograph Reliability Workbench (Fault Tree Analysis) is used to show the system reliability but also to gather more information about the failure rates and establish system requirements correctly.

Given the opportunity to grow and pursue a career path that interests me therefore really enjoy the programme. Although I believe the versatility of the programme could be better to help give me more freedom in my development. I also understand this is difficult when currently under an apprenticeship programme and I'm happy with the experiences I've had.

The programme is extremely structured in regards to work based learning but also external learning such as college. All my placements are tailored around specific disciplines so I garner a variety of experience. Although, as mentioned above sometimes the structure and organisation can be a negative as I can't explore different options.

In regards to my development and opportunities my employer is extremely supportive and willing to help me gain any training I feel I require if it can be justified. Also, in regards to general well being my employer has plenty of safeguards in place to get help if I feel like I need it.

Any professional training required to use new software or tools the company always provides and gives me access to learning portals to get extra learning I feel will benefit my career. My employer has also ring fenced time for my qualifications so I always have time to complete them to the best of my ability.

I feel like the qualifications help me perform better in the workplace but also give me a good foundation of knowledge for a career engineering. Although, I feel like at times the training can be generic and could be tailored better to suit my personal job role a bit better.

There is constant reminders of extra curricular activities I can take part in through the workplace. But these only seen to be at a team level and organised ourselves rather than through corporate level. I feel like this could be done more or advertised a bit better and the biggest negative is that they always seem to have to be done out of work hours.

Yes

I've always had a positive experience through my training with BAE Systems and feel like there will be constant room to grow and develop. This is including the apprenticeship but also the options I can explore afterwards. There is always a drive to help you develop if you want to take the opportunities.

To study the company to get a better understanding of all the products they produce but also at which part of the lifecycle projects are at as it'll give you a better idea of what discipline you will be working towards. Research engineering within the defence industry and what type of career you want to pursue to help tailor you experiences and training.