Apprentice Review

During my time as an apprentice at BAE Systems every day has had a different challenge. BAE systems give you a chance to experience many different job roles, these include machining, electrician, fitting and carbon fibre layup. We also had the chance to learn while earning money as BAE Systems has a college built on site just for apprentices coming through the system.

Before joining BAE systems I had no experience with machining or anything to do with on the electrical side. I have found BAE very enjoyable as they give you the correct guidance to learn these new skills while putting it into practise with different exercises. After every section we had feedback from our assessor giving us our positive points and points which we would need to improve on.

I have to give this a 10/10 straight away as no day was ever the same, the knowledge I have learnt from this apprenticeship I will take throughout my career. The correct guidance I got throughout my apprentice kept me motivated and willing to give new challenges a try.

From day one we had a fantastic structure, due to the amount of people BAE System took on I thought it would be a bit of a mess, how wrong I was. We were set into groups of 10 with a structure for the next year, we were put onto sections for 3 months at a time which was just enough.

Support was given on a one to one system, this was given after every 3 month section. If I needed support through a section I always had the chance to speak to any member of staff at BAE Systems. After any feedback session the notes which had been written down was then transferred onto Microsoft word, these notes could be accessed at anytime.

While at college there were always tutors to speak to when ever you had a problem with any work, extra classes was always available after work hours to help on any hard assignments. I would give all the tutors at BAE Systems college a 10/10 star performance level due to their willingness to help.

While working at BAE Systems I have always been motivated to work at 100% efficacy. I have to thank the training providers for this. As I was learning new skills everyday I was always keen to learn, machining was always a hobby of mine and I feel as soon as this was an option it was for me.

While working at BAE Systems there is always extra-curricular activities to try. These ranged from being able to go to Germany on a German exchange trip for 2 weeks to outward bounds trips. These trips will help apprentices to work as a team and to come out of their shells more.

Yes

I feel like this has been the best job I have had, it has given me the correct training when needed, and the on the job skills to gain confidence in becoming a fully qualified machinist. BAE Systems never judged me when applying even when I was a more mature apprentice at the age of 26.

The best advice I can give is to be yourself and to always give 100%. I have found while working in the business if you are willing to work and show how keen you are, they are willing to teach you everything they know. I have found BAE Systems are willing to back you if you are wanting to go further academically.