Business Apprentice Review

My role is within the Procurement function and mainly for me it is the process of raising purchase orders. As well as this my role is to keep up with my apprenticeship by completing off the job training days and regularly completing assignments. I need to ensure these are submitted on time.

I have definitely developed my confidence and communication skills with being in a fast paced job. I have been put out of my comfort zone but this has helped me in the long run. Also I have managed to pick up lots of IT skills as in my school we weren't taught the basics and this has now become second nature.

I enjoy my programme because there is a good balance between work and off the job and the two don't clash. I think there are lots of opportunities to get involved with and the chance to earn while you learn.

I think the programme is very well laid out as we have set off the job days and we always have the same amount of time to complete assignments. All events whether internal or external are always well planned and on time.

I feel I receive a lot of support from the employer because everyone is always so happy to help with whatever you need. We are well looked after and your own health and well-being always comes first. There are lots of possible people you could to go to if you need help whether this is your manager, assessor, safeguarding officer or a colleague.

We receive a lot of support. Towards the beginning I think a few of us were struggling to understand how the end point assessment was going to work but off the job days are very informative and I learn lots.

We learn a lot about businesses in general and this can be helpful back in the workplace. For example our last off the job session was about stakeholders and communication, so therefore if I was at work and anyone mentioned any of BAE's stakeholders I can understand what they mean a little bit more.

There are always extra-curricular activities to get involved with that other businesses or apprenticeship providers won't offer. There are regular comms sent out of things we can get involved with and activities specific to the department you are working in at the time. Recently we have National Apprentice Week and almost everyone was able to get involved. Some example of events are recruitment events, interviews, sports clubs, quizzes, site visits, tours.

Yes

I would recommend BAE Systems to a friend because no other company offers an apprenticeship like it. It gives you the best of both worlds in terms of still learning and receiving a qualification at the end and earning a competitive salary. As well as this there is no work to complete outside of work and no student debt. There is always support available and there are lots of opportunities to explore the wider business.

The advice I would give is to make yourself stand out and to always give evidence and examples of times you have done what the question asks.