Apprentice Review

I have recently started a new placement within Business and performance at MBDA. I have been placed into a project management role, controlling my own export project within he business. Some key responsibilities include reporting all key aspects of the programme to seniors within the company. Also creating workload forecasts and critical path analysis charts for the project reviews.

Within this new placement I have been able to enhance my technical knowledge about the business due to the nature of my new relationship with Engineers within the company as my role demands. It has allowed me to improve my communication skills as I have to source all of my information about my project through different people around the business.

My apprenticeship programme was a great opportunity and have fully enjoyed the challenges I have faced during my past 2 years on the scheme. The programme is difficult especially when the Degree runs along side working at MBDA the other days in the week. However this has allowed me to improve my organisational skills in order to complete assignments and work deadlines at MBDA.

My Programme has been structured as best as possible to obtain a good balance of work experience at MBDA and gaining the Degree simultaneously. Additionally, regarding the MBDA apprentice placements I get to move around the business every 6 months to gain a wider perspective of the business and how the different departments operate. overall the structure of the placement is very good.

Support is readily available at MBDA regarding my placements and work situations. the department that I am working in answers all and any questions I have regarding my work and the wider business. All managers involved in my programme are very happy to allow me to have some additional time to complete sections of university work when they can see I am under pressure and struggling to complete the piece of work on time.

the support that i gain from my training provider is very inconsistent. I would have to say that certain lecturers and support officers provide a great amount of feedback that has helped me to advance my learning and us different techniques to allow my to work more effectively. However, there are some people with the organisation that don't provide the adequate amount of feedback and support as they should.

I complete addition Apprenticeship modules that are based around workplace situations. These modules are based around professional development within your workplace including the analysis of communication and management. These modules allow me to relate my working experiences to theory that I learn about at university. The training provider has structured he training in a very adequate way to include the improvement of skills at work.

There is a tremendous amount of opportunities to get involved with at MBDA. I have personally been involved in many sports societies including the MBDA hockey and football teams. Additionally MBDA supports many charity events throughout the year which allows you to get hands on with organising an event and raising money for charity. Most departments within MBDA also have regular social events and activities which increases team moral and team cohesion.

Yes

The scheme that MBDA have created provides the apprentices with many internal and external opportunities. MBDA are in such an exciting and advancing industry, everything is always changing which keeps work interesting. The Degree is a great opportunity to advance your learning as you work. This apprenticeship has been on of the best decisions I could have made to advance my career in the business world.

Complete some research into the defence industry as the more you know before you apply the easier it will be to understand some of the placements you may encounter within the apprenticeship scheme. Be aware of the amount of effort and determination that is needed to complete a full university degree whilst also working a 40 hour week within the business.