Craft Mechanical Apprentice Review

I am a apprentice mechanical fitter, this role involves working with engines, turbines, valves etc. On a day to day basis I would normally be handed out a job to complete a long with my mentor and have to go on board the naval ships in order to carry out this task.

Before I joined BAE systems, I knew near to nothing about engineering, let alone marine engineering. I have currently been at the business as an apprentice for nearly two years and I feel that my skills and understanding of the job have massively improved to the point where I can use my own initiative in tasks I struggled with at the start.

I find the programme I am on very enjoyable mainly because there is something new to do every single day, one day I might find myself changing the valves on a sea water system a Mine Sweeper and on another day I might be helping with the changing of a diesel engine on a Type 45 Destroyer.

Personally, I think that the programme is very well organised because everything is done on time. I found myself leaving the training centre after the end of first year and going out into the dockyard at the time I was supposed to. Furthermore, there is always a lot of jobs that are relevant to my trade that I can be getting on with. There is also enogh time to be getting on with my book work as well.

I find that I receive a lot of support from my employer, whether I am talking to my line manager, my mentor or my trade head, I think that any questions or queries that I may have about the job in general are always answered, this gives me a lot of reassurance about the company.

Every Wednesday I go to college to work on the written/exam side of my course, this is where is gain my qualifications. I personally feel that I gain a lot of support from the college as I have been improving every week. My employer also check up on how college is going so they are showing support in that respect as well.

Whilst I am at college gaining my qualifications off of my training provider, I feel that I gain lots of valuable information about the job I am in, I also feel that I can use the information to my benefit and apply it to certain situations that may arise in the workplace.

I personally know of a few extra-curricular activities that I have the opportunity to get involved in if I wanted to. I know that there is a gym on the base where I can sign up and visit if I so wished. I also know that there is a football team in the naval base which is open to anyone to trial for.

Yes

I have found that for the time I have worked for BAE systems to be very beneficial, I think it gives people an opportunity to become skilled in a trade and gain qualifications which they can go to use elsewhere or put into the further practice at BAE systems. I also think the salary is very good, especially to those young apprentices who join straight form leaving school.

I would say to not be afraid to ask questions, there is no such thing as a stupid question, especially in an environment where you may not know anything about. You are surrounded by people such as mentors and instructors who want to teach you what they know and pass their information on, so don't be afraid to ask.