Mechanical Engineer (apprentice) Review

my role on a day to day basis is to provide support to mechanical engineers in completing designated tasks/jobs, I help with tooling, visually and I also help by doing some of the work, with this I am also learning and developing skills as the team I work with teach me their skills.

I have background experience within other areas of engineering, with this I have improved on those skills I haven't used in a while before starting this apprenticeship, this apprenticeship also goes into more technical detail in regards to work due to being on different more complicated systems than I have previously worked on, along with the college tuition we receive I have learnt new skills in maths, cad, machining, mechanical and materials and others.

I enjoy the programme when there is actual work to do and when the teams I am working in don't get stood down, when they are stood down I am left to my own devices to do paper work etc. but all in all I enjoy the programme very much, due to the people I work with, the other apprentices and the tutors we have in the training centre.

I think that the structure and organisation of the programme is significantly high when in the first year, the second year a little less but as it is a new type of apprenticeship, it is to be expected as the paper work is having to be developed as we go. in regards to management the tutors are outstanding, the upper management are hectic and a bit chaotic within their roles and I believe their organisation and structuring suffers due to this.

BAE systems as an employee are outstanding, I receive a lot of support from them as I have a disability, they have put me in touch with their in house occupational health, they have given me leeway on certain things as well, with the apprenticeship paperwork we receive a very good level of support from the training centre tutors/instructors.

in regards to CEMAST College the support is sub par at best, the lessons and teaching is too low of quality and content for a level three apprenticeship as the majority is PowerPoint and not engaging with the apprentices. the BAE training provided in year one is outstanding and hopefully as we come back to the BAE training centre for year three they will be able to make up for the poor teachings of CEMAST.

The qualification from this apprenticeship will allow me to show my employer and any potential future employers that I have worked to a set out standard and have proved that I am competent in my field. it also allows me the time to train and expand my physical knowledge through on the job training and actually carrying out the manual tasks which in the long run improves my knowledge and hire-ability.

Yes you can help out on comms events such as going to the field gun events the navy do, and there you can work on the bae stand to explain apprenticeships, there are several gyms and sports pitches on site, you can also get involved in STEM and go to schools to show them about engineering.

Yes

overall the company is very good to work for and well respected in the industry, they are world leaders in Defence technology on land, sea and air, they take care of their staff with inflation pay rises, bonuses, a lucrative over time/stand down policy and are genuinely very nice people to work for.

be honest on your application, be relevant and just be yourself, make sure to do your homework on the company as a whole and learn about all sectors of BAE systems, bring in a good engineering project to your interview with pictures and explanations of why you did what you did.