Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
- 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
- 8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
- 9a. Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
In my current placement, I work for a costbase team where I help correct any hours that people work which do not get successfully booked to contract. This is important to ensure the company charges the correct amount to its buyers. However, we move placements every 6 months so I will be moving around the business and completing different day to day tasks soon
I have learnt many skills, such as, applying new technical knowledge on programmes we use such as excel and SAP. I have learnt communication skills through networking with people within different roles within the business. I have learnt to work well in a team, by taking advantage of peoples experience and skills. I feel like I have applied every skill I already had to this role and it has helped me develop them all by working in an established, professional environment where everyone is willing to help.
I enjoy my programme as we are offered a lot of opportunities such as extra training days, enrichment activities and the chance to work in different parts of the business. I feel like we are an important part of the company, as they pay and care about our tuition and values, therefore that makes me enjoy it more as I know I have a large chance for development.
The programme is well structured as we were told all our classroom based tuition days for the next two years at the start of the programme, which shows they are very organised. However, as we move placements every six months, we are only notified of the new place approximately 1 month in advance. I would appreciate more notice so I know which areas of finance I am going to cover, however I understand this isn't always feasible.
We receive a lot of support from the line manager and also skills coach, as we have 12 week reviews with them both to discuss our placements and development. I know if I was every unhappy in the day-to-day work, I would be able to go to them and a solution would be made.
Kaplan are a good training provider as they provide us with books and materials for each new exam. They also have an online tool called MyKaplan which has knowledge checks, videos and mock exams, which shows they cater for every type of learner. Their classroom sessions are also helpful, where they support by answering questions and providing real work life examples which allows you to put it into context more easily.
I haven't necessarily applied the knowledge I have learnt from Kaplan to my day-to-day role, however that could be because it is a different accounting subject. I know that as I continue through my apprenticeship and learn more as I also gain more experience, I will be able to apply my learning to work life better. However, as I have only been here 6 months, I think that is difficult at this stage.
There are some activities, such as networking and volunteering events that were held as part of national apprenticeship week. They also take us on 'outward bound' which is a 5 day residential trip with activities such as rock climbing, walking and gill scrambling. I think there are also sport teams I could join, should I wish too.
Yes
I think BAE offer a good apprentice wage, as well as plenty of opportunity to learn and develop in your career. They pay for the CIMA qualification, which would be time-consuming and expensive if I did it myself, therefore it is a good opportunity to gain work experience while also gaining a qualification, giving you a better chance to get a job at the end. Also, all the people I have met and worked with have always been helpful and friendly, therefore I would say it is a good place to work.
I would say prepare a good presentation that shows you have researched the company as that will impress and get you off to a good start. Make sure any skills you say you have in the interview you give good examples of that could apply to a work-place environment and be yourself :)
Details
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting, Finance
Preston
February 2020