Advanced Engineering Apprentice Review

I am on the technician scheme, so my day to day activities revolve around technical support for military aircraft platforms and equipment. This involves testing, design, analysis, customer support services, with some hands-on practical work. Some days are office based, whereas others I may using testing rigs to qualify equipment for use. I also have opportunities to visit Customers/suppliers.

I complete a day 'off the job' training at on off-site specialised training academy, which is provided by the company. This involves college theoretical knowledge, with assessments and some exams in the first year. I also have the opportunity to attend development courses whilst in business placements, specific to my training at the time; these are highly encouraged.

I enjoy the variety of work that I am able to get involved with through different placements in the company. I feel like a valued employee, with plenty of support from peers wherever I need it. I enjoy flexibility in terms of working hours (post-1st year) and the encouragement to get involved with continued professional development activities is motivating.

The programme is structured in a way that allows a technician apprentice to gather a range of experience in different business areas (design, testing, customer support etc.), which developing skills and knowledge that are associated with these types of roles. We have regular (12-weekly) reviews where we set SMART objectives and review those set in the previous meetings, and are assigned an assessor, who acts as a point of contact for early careers throughout the apprenticeship. 1 day per week is spend in college, whilst the remaining 4 days are spent 'on-site'.

I have an assigned assessor, who I have meetings with regularly to check my progress and set objectives to work towards. There are also multiple personnel within the early careers team that are available and approachable if any support is needed. We also have assistance programmes such as the employee assistance programme where we can remain anonymous if we would like confidential issues to be kept as so, but still receive support.

We have accessible trainers at the training school that we can contact via an online portal on non-college days. If we are struggling with lessons, or finding it difficult to keep up with work, there is additional support also available after college hours, or through our assessors, which can be highlighted during our 12-weekly reviews.

I have been able to apply the knowledge I have gained through the training provider to my work placement activities, in both theory and practical work. The course work is relevant to my job role and I have been able to gain knowledge on the aerospace and manufacturing industries through the training provided.

There are plenty of extra curricular activities to get involved with through work. These involve role specific events, that help develop knowledge, and non-role specific social events, that encourage networking and collaboration throughout the company. There are also external events that apprentices are encouraged to attend at professional engineering institutions.

Yes

BAE Systems are a supportive employer, who are aware of the development needs of their apprentices. They actively encourage apprentices to engage in development activities, both at a personal and professional level. Due to the size and nature of the business, there are plenty of areas to gain knowledge and experience, and no two jobs are the same.

Be honest during the application process, and make yourself stand out from the rest of the applicants. It's a highly competitive apprenticeship, so make sure you do research into the company and are prepared with the right questions. Include any practical or engineering experience in your application, even if its a hobby at home. You'll be invited for assessment if you pass the first stage, so you'll need to present a project to demonstrate your practical and engineering knowledge and experience.