Advanced Engineering Apprentice Review

My role is that of an engineering technician (which is what I will qualify as), meaning that I spend my time mostly in an office environment working with things such as Excel spreadsheets and Word documents. I get involved in things such as drafting reports, assisting in answering customer queries and data analysis.

I have learnt a plethora of new skills during my time at BAE Systems and have also greatly improved and developed skills which I already possessed. An example of a skill I have learnt whilst being at BAE is using 3 dimensional CAD software to design and modify parts, and an example of a developed skill would be my fluency with handling data and generating plots in Microsoft Excel.

I enjoy the variety of roles and jobs that I get to, and have got to, try out during my apprenticeship, and I have rarely found myself bored with a role or task that I am completing. The vast majority of people at work are friendly and easy to get along with, and will more often than not help out with any issues that arise.

The programme I am on is extremely well structured, with me spending my first year doing general engineering training (covering hand skills such as fabrication and fitting as well as office-based engineering activities) and then spending the subsequent 3 years completing placements in the business. Within these placements themselves there is usually a structure whereby the department makes sure that I get a taste of the different roles within there.

I personally do not receive lots of support from my employer, however this is due to me not requiring it. I am aware that any issues I have with either my work or the people I work with (or for that matter any external issues in my life that may affect my work) I can bring up with the relevant persons at work and they will try their best to help resolve or minimise these issues and their impacts. I am regularly reminded of this fact and asked if I require any support or assistance in any regard.

Once again, I personally do not receive lots of support from my training provider due to me not requiring it. I have been informed however by my training provider that if I have any issues with which support might benefit me, that I should use the relevant channels to inform my training provider of this so that they can implement the necessary support.

I think that the qualification I am completing externally will help me to perform better in my role by solidifying skills I may not have used in a while in regard to certain aspects of my role (or the role with which I may end up once qualified), as well as giving me a broader skillset within engineering that helps me to appreciate all the steps in a process rather than just my own.

I do get involved with the odd extra-curricular activity, such as a 5-a-side football game or things of the such, however I don't do this regularly through my own choosing. I do rather often get emails inviting me or making me aware of events such as these though, so I feel I have plenty of opportunity to get involved.

Yes

I would recommend BAE Systems to any friend who wanted start a career in engineering as I believe the service and support they provide in terms of training is of an extremely high calibre. I have in my apprenticeship got a great overview of how the whole Air sector functions and how each department functions individually as well as with each other, and really do believe that I will be more than competent to be an engineering technician by the time I finish.

I would advise them to do plenty of research on the company as a whole, as well as the particular site to which they are applying. BAE Systems as a company values individuals putting time into learning about them and wants employees who really care and take interest in the exploits and history of the company.