Aerospace Engineering Technical Apprentice Review

As an apprentice it is up to the staff to help me learn and develop myself in the workplace to grow as a future employee for the business. Daily I have to go to my placements and complete work for them, whilst also ensuring my NVQ work is done to standard on time.

I have learned a lot of skills throughout my apprentieship so far, for example i have become very independent since i had to move. I have also developed my time management skills, and my phone and email etiquette has improved. I have gained an appreciation to what it is really like to be in the workplace instead of in school/college.

I do enjoy the apprenticeship i am on, and there have been incredible placements that i have thoroughly enjoyed and would love to continue as a full time job after completing my apprenticeship. However, there have also been placements i haven't enjoyed as much - purely just because the content wasn't interesting to me (which is bound to happen) . However i did make the most of my time in these placements to learn what i could.

My year is the first to do an EPA (end point assessment) at the end of the apprenticeship in this scheme therefore things have been not as organised in previous years as everyone is learning about the new system, however we are kept up to date with all progress and any new information regarding our requirements is sent out immediately

As this company is so large we are able to receive report from our assessors, our managers, and our supervisors. If i am ever in need of advice/support that may not concern apprenticeships, we also have contacts for that. In regards to my apprenticeship, i always receive a lot of support for any queries i may have and i am very thankful for the help they give.

We get as much help as we need as long as we ask towards our qualifications; if we are stuck they may not be aware so it is important for us to speak out and ask for more help. That being said, whenever i have asked for help in the past i have recieved it, and then some.

As i do not have a full time role yet in the business (as i am still currently an apprentice) I am using all my placements within this business as a training opportunity to shape myself into the employee i want to be when i do enter a full time role. The opportunity to develop myself in this manner is extremely useful, as the experience of different departments within BAE is a huge learning curve.

Yes there are many activities going on at and outside of work, for example, there is a charity football match that occurs every year. I get involved in a lot of STEM extra-curricular events, often with primary schools. I was also invited to go to Qatar to man a stand at an event there, representing the company which was incredible. There are hundreds of opportunities as long as you get involved.

Yes

BAE is an incredible company that offers a wide range of careers and opportunities all over the world, and doing the apprenticeship is an easy way to work your way up the ladder and be respected as an employee in this company. They look after their employees very well, and the salary is very good.

Do not hold back during an interview - BAE love employees with ideas on how to improve the business and create a better working environment for all employees. Ensure you work hard and do external research about your future aspects during placements if you are really interested (i.e. any degrees you may be interested in doing), and always keep on contact with everyone within the business.