Chartered Management Degree Apprentice Review

On this scheme you move around for the first 2 years on four 6-month placements. I am currently in my second placement based in HR Services working on the Hire to Retire Project looking at improving the companies recruitment systems and the experience we offer. A week on this scheme also consists of going to university at UCLan to study Business Management which I find enjoyable as it breaks up the week. I also spend quite a bit of time doing off the job training working on the launch of a new ERG within the Air Sector.

Coming into the business straight from college I had no prior experience in the professional working world. I feel I have developed invaluable skills or professionalism, communication, resilience and organisation since joining the company and feel pushed to continue developing everyday. There are hundreds of courses to go on to improve any skills you feel you need to and these will always be endorsed and encouraged by your manager.

I really enjoy my programme. I think the small cohort of individuals (3 per year) allows for the opportunity to find various different extra curricular/enrichment activities and stand out more. The only element that brings my experience down slightly is the lack of involvement in the wider business with other apprentices and being missed off mailing lists due to being such a small population.

Being a new scheme that no one has yet finished means that there is not a fully structured programme as of yet but this is just teething problems. My placements have been well structured however the length of placements doesn't coincide with the amount of objectives given as they often fall short and lead to asking for more work but I think this is just down to people still trying to understand the scheme.

I personally feel we are very well supported. With 2 managers and a skills coach to go to if I have a problem, all of which are always helpful. I feel comfortable to go to all 3 of them with any issue I had and feel confident they would fully support me and try and help in any way they can.

Having done well in my first semester at uni I feel it unfair to mark their support any lower however I don't think it was the support of the provider that helped me be successful. Instead it was the older apprentices offering support and advice that allowed me to do well. The providers teaching I feel is basic (nothing I didn't learn at ALevel). When asked for advice on assignments I did not receive feedback, something I felt I really needed with it being the first time I had written an academic assignment. While I enjoy university days at our training provider (reason being it is social and laid back) in terms of the teaching experience they offer I feel it could be better.

I have personally found that by understanding the business and how it works in addition to myself and how I work has already helped me to perform better in my role as I can begin to understand why things are the way they are. The PM module is also helping me to understand the actual structure to a project which is useful in my current placement.

I have found that there are countless opportunities to get involved with but you just have to find them yourself. I do lots of extra activities both within Shared Services and the wider business which have allowed me to network and meet lots of different people whilst also giving me the opportunity to make new friends and develop other skills I might not get the chance to in my placement

Yes

I think BAE Systems is an incredible company to work for, especially from such a young age. I feel extremely supported in everything I do and to achieve every ambition I have. I am constantly reminded that no goal is to high and feel confident in the fact the company will help me get there. The benefits of holidays, competitive pay, pensions and bonuses make BAE a secure company to work for while the wide breadth of job opportunities and differing sites also make it a diverse company. While the scheme may still have areas for improvements any apprenticeship at BAE which offers you the chance to gain 2 qualifications while paying you to work is an opportunity like no other.

I would advise them to research the schemes properly to understand the differences in them. Attend as many open events as you can to speak to people who can give you first hand experience of what it is like. Don't just go off the internet as I don't feel like they are detailed enough. When applying be original and imaginative. Don't say what you think they want you to say and have examples for everything.