Project Management Apprenticeship Review

My role involves supporting the business with various Project Management tasks day-to-day that help the completion of many contracts. I am involved with a wide range of employees and have contact with people oversees whom I need to regularly network with for queries. I attend a university centre once a week where I learn many modules which give me knowledge that can be used in a working environment.

Yes I have learnt to be a First Aider At Work which has left me confident in my ability to look after someone in a first aid situation if one was to arise. I have learnt technology skills on the computer using Microsoft office where previously I didn't have much knowledge and now I feel like I have many skills on these applications. I have learnt many in house BAE Specific skills also in relation to different databases and spreadsheets and how contracts need to be monitored and worked in order to continually keep track on them.

I really enjoy the programme I believe the roles that I am given are very rewarding and challenging at the same time. As an apprentice I am still given real life work that needs to be completed so I feel like a highly valued member of the team. There is also the option to work oversees and in land on a base within the UK, with these types of opportunities it is very appealing to myself with the want to travel and see different areas of the world. I would certainly recommend this programme to friends and family.

The programme is very well organised by scheme managers who look after all of the cohort. It is clear before you start the programme what will be expected and what will need to be achieved and within the journey on the apprenticeship this is further emphasised in order to get the best results out of us possible. Over the 5 years I am fully aware of what I will be achieving and the rewards that can be gained from doing so, I have a career path upon which I would like to go down and this scheme will allow me to achieve it.

I receive a lot of support from my employer through the scheme, placements, company benefits and wellbeing. The employer is always keen to look after my wellbeing, mental health and safety within the workplace as this is essential for a good working environment. The employer also provides good quality placements and if one was of an insufficient standard then this would be noted and a new placement could be found, however this is very rare but if the occasion was to arise then the opportunity will be there. The employer also provides many benefits through the scheme and being apart of the business through company shares and the pension scheme.

Much support is provided when completing qualifications and it is clear what needs to be achieved in order to gain our qualifications . The lessons are delivered to a good standard and the assignments are intellectually challenging as well as rewarding . The training provider ensures we are on track for our targets and getting the grades that are expected of us, if we are falling behind it is noted and ways and lessons are provided to give us further knowledge.

I feel that the work our training provider delivers for us links into activities which are completed at work. Where appropriate they will always try to think of examples and relate the situation to a working environment, this is beneficial so that in my placement I could put some of these to practice.

There are many activities that can be undertook as an employee at BAE Systems. There are sports teams such as football, netball and table tennis. There are also networking events such as apprentice open evenings and awards dinners. Also as part of being an apprentice there are opportunities to speak to senior people within the business and ask them questions about their career paths and any advice that they have.

Yes

I would recommend BAE Systems to a friend because there is a wide range of opportunities that are available and many routes for progression within the company. There are many good opportunities to socialise with the people that you work with and everyone is very welcoming and friendly. The work that you get given is challenging and rewarding which will give you a good feel about what you have been completing as you can see that you are making a difference. Along with all of this comes a generous salary and good benefits such as the share and pension scheme. With all this combined I do believe that BAE Systems is a great place to work and I would highly recommend it to anybody thinking of going into an apprenticeship or even university.

Ensure you have done your research. Make sure you know about the role you are applying for, what it entails, how long it is and what opportunities are available whilst you are there. Think about where you see yourself in 5 or 10 years time and try and pick a career path that will suit it. To always pick something that you will enjoy as if you do not enjoy what you are doing then it will become very hard. BAE Systems is a great place to work and if you put the effort in it will not go unnoticed.