Combat Systems Higher Engineering Apprentice Review

This is dependant on the placement. Some days can be based on ship all day, others are office based works all day and other days can be a mix but this depends on who you are working with and what is doing on/what stage the ship is at in the project.

This is my first job as I came straight from school, so since day one I have been learning new skills. From sitting my first interview till 4 years later today, I learn and pick up different things all the time. which is also fuelled by changing placements every 6 months and working on a new project, with a new person, each who have there own different experiences to pass on.

I enjoy the programme especially when I am kept busy and get to go on the ship. The teams have been great and always tried there best to give new experiences. I am glad I joined the apprenticeship as it has been a good experience and an enjoyable program so far.

Due to our college course and work not relating to what we would actually be doing in work, there was a lack of organisation from that aspect. this has since been update for new apprentice but impacted pervious years slightly as we have came into the workplace with no relevant knowledge.

I have never had a need for any support from BAE systems but from what I have seen and heard from others support seems to be provide in most cases. There is an advice line you can call and mental heath first aiders which you can go to for advice.

The college lecturers where really helpful during our years at college, offering advice in college but also outside of college over email. They where always happy to provide extra help and support, and supply as many extra materials as they could along with useful website links and other resources as well.

The qualifications didn't really relate to the job at all, the course has now been changed for future apprentices who now get to do an engineering degree which will be a lot more beneficial to them which is good. One of the qualifications (cisco) also only lasted 2 years, so has ran out of date and didn't last till the end of the apprenticeship.

I haven't seen any social activities or sport teams offered/supported/encouraged by BAE. The only thing there has been, are Christmas meal but that tends to be arranged by someone within the team or office you are working for at the time. I haven't seen any networking events offered either as far as I'm aware.

Yes

It has been a great experience overall and I think the workplace will suit most people as there are many routes you can go depending on what you want to do and what experience you already have. Learning and working whilst gaining experience and earning a wage has been great, and I imagine most people would enjoy it.

Always check through you application for spelling mistake and get other people to check too. Don't rush any of the tests, quality over quantity. Make sure you know what the company does and a bit about the company for your interview. If there are any answers you don't know, don't panicking, they don't exact you to have all the answers.