Software Apprentice Review

I am a Software Engineering apprentice. My daily tasks vary, depending on the placement I am currently in, which changes (to a different area of software) every 8 months to allow me to get a wide view of the different sections across the company. In one placement, I may be heavily involved in the rapid production of software. In another, I may be testing current systems and producing test reports to inform other employees of project progress. It all varies! During university term time, I will be studying at UCLan 2 days a week, with the other 3 days being spent in work.

I am currently studying towards completing my degree at UCLan in Software Engineering. The degree is completely funded by the company which is a massive bonus. I have also been on a number of training courses with BAE Systems, such as lean learning, outward bounds, as well as many other internal training courses. During my short time with the company, I have developed an endless number of important skills which will benefit me throughout my career.

As previously mentioned, my job role changes every 8 months and this can be quite difficult but also exciting if i have not necessarily liked the current job role too much! On the whole, I love being at work. Sometimes, certain teams can be more interesting than others, but that is expected. I look forward to coming to work because it is so interesting, with a countless number of cool gadgets to used on a day-to-day basis, which I wouldn't get working for another company.

Due to the fact that my year was the very first year that the Engineering Degree was introduced to the company, there have been a few hiccups. However, taking into consideration that we are the first year, these problems have been promptly fixed. We have daily contact with line managers, with 2 week reviews to track our progress. We also have 12 week reviews with a software assessor to ensure we are on track with completion of our NVQ qualification. All-in-all it has been a very well worked out scheme.

BAE Systems are always very supportive. There is an ethics hotline that we can ring if we have any problems or worries, whether it be inside or outside of work. These can provide help with any issue, whether it be work related or personal. We also have a line manager to go to with problems, again, personal or work related. If we do not feel comfortable taking these problems to our line managers, we also have our software assessor who we can speak to, who is our safeguard contact. Finally, we all have a point of contact who we can speak to about mentoring us. He will provide us with advice depending on which career path we wish to take.

UCLan have done a good job with providing my year with the tools we need to complete our degree. So far, I am half way through my second year, which is getting more difficult. I have been to see a few lecturers with problems who have been more than happy to help. I have no complaints. I can happily say that both my training provider and my employer have really looked after myself and other apprentices during our time here and i think the expectations have certainly been met.

I feel as though my degree that i am working towards getting at UCLan will benefit me in the future at BAE Systems and perhaps if i change job roles within BAE Systems or outside of the company also. I enjoy my degree and i think that the skills i am currently learning are valuable and can definitely be used within my working environment on a general basis.

I have already had a number of exciting opportunities outside of work. I have been to RAF Coningsby for a course, I have been to London with a colleague to demonstrate some of the Virtual Reality (VR) software we had developed, held numerous exposure events for the VR software, as well as also attending a number of recruitment events for future engineering degree apprentices at BAE Systems. There is an apprentice football team which I am part of, as well as training on Wednesday nights with the Warton football team.

Yes

Fantastic salary - definitely higher than the national minimum apprenticeship wage. The training is absoloutly fantastic and we are definitely treat well and looked after by both the company and our training provider. The education - including the degree course is all free and paid for by the company which saved someone like me, tens of thousands! The company cares for each one of it's employees and member of staff and overall the company have great people working within their walls and it can seem like a big family sometimes.

Do their research into the company before applying and try to show this if you get to the interview stage. Show evidence of work done in/ outside of college which applies to software. Show evidence of being able to balance work with studies and a social life. Anything done outside of college/ school will be beneficial (such as Duke of Edinburgh etc.) Anything to do with teamwork. Prepare to ask the interviewers questions about the company. The interview process can seem lengthy but it is definitely worth it!