Engineering Technician Apprentice Review

Roles vary on a 3-4 monthly basis depending on placements. Placements include periods in Stage 1 Engineering, Stage 2 Detail Design, Working with Liaison and Testing and Commissioning. Some placements are within the systems side of the business depending on your choice of discipline after the first year at college.

As I came straight to this apprenticeship from school I have learned and developed a vast range of skills. These skills include self confidence and communication skills, I have also learned new skills such as working in teams with a number of different people all of different ages and backgrounds that I would not have been used to in school.

Because of the way the programme is set up with a variety of different placements throughout the business it gives you a chance to work alongside a number of different people with a chance to work on a variety of jobs and projects within the business, I find this very enjoyable.

I feel that this programme is very well structured as everything is set up for you from the day you start. From the 3 day induction, then into college for the first year, then starting your placements and back into college in the second year. Everything flows very well and the training officers will help with any issues encountered.

I receive a great deal of support from my employer with both my own problems and problems I may face in work. Training officers and managers within the business are all very approachable and would never turn you away if you needed guidance or assistance with a task or an issue.

I receive a great deal of support from my training provider (Glasgow Clyde College) when working towards qualifications. All of the lecturers within the college teach to a high standard but present the information in understandable formats. All lecturers, the same as in the business, are more than happy to help you with any work.

My HND Electrical Engineering and SVQ Level 3 Engineering Technical Support qualification helps me to perform better in my role by helping me better understand the work that I am doing by learning the theory behind everything, the SVQ helps me by using logs to keep a record of work I have done.

As far as I am aware at the moment there are not a lot of out of work activities to get involved in. The apprentice council has some events that can be attended and they are working on providing more social activities for everyone to get involved in, but at the moment there are not a lot.

Yes

I would definitely recommend BAE Systems and in particular the Engineering Technician Apprentice to friends as it is a great company to work for with a massive international presence, the Technician apprentice in particular allows for a HND qualification at least with the opportunity to further this to a Degree.

To anyone applying for jobs or apprenticeships with BAE Systems I would give the advice to take a lot of time and care when answering the questions in the application form. Don't rush into applying and take a look at all the apprenticeships on offer and decide what one is right for you.