Aerospace Engineer - EDAS Review

For the first 6 months of my apprenticeship, my day to day roles involve completing different sections in the Academy of Skills and Knowledge in order to obtain my Level 2 Qualification in Aerospace and Aviation. We need this qualification as a legal requirement before we can progress to our Level 4 and so on. We undertake a different section roughly every six weeks including: Fitting, CAD, Electrical, Carbon Fibre and Business Improvement Training. I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at BAE Systems so far and don't have a single negative comment about it. If it wasn't for COVID-19, I would have just started my first placement within the business, but as we are working from home this has been difficult. The company has handled the situation really well and offered lots of support, not just with work but with our general wellbeing as well.

I have learnt and developed many new skills during my time so far and I have no doubt that this will continue. I have learnt the correct techniques to use when working with tools and how to use CAD software effectively. I have also developed my knowledge around the engineering industry in general and have learnt a lot about the aerospace and aviation industry already.

I can honestly say that I am greatly enjoying my programme and I am really looking forward to getting back into work and starting my placements properly. I have met so many new people and made life long connections, not just in my professional life but in my personal life as well. One of the things I think is most beneficial about the Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Scheme with BAE Systems is the size of the cohorts. On my cohort, there are around 38 apprentices from all around the country, from different backgrounds which I think is amazing as it allows different people with different ways of thinking to come together and collaborate which isn't just great for the business, but it allows us to develop our interpersonal skills at a young age.

I believe that my programme is extremely well structured. We have 6 placements already guaranteed for the next three years and there are clear plans available regarding time frames and what is expected of us during them. We have a lot of support and guidance available from a large number of skills coaches and mentors who are all very proactive and good at their jobs. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, the structure is being upheld and adapted where needed. For example as we cant physically be moved into our first placements, we have virtually moved in to them which means we are still getting sent work and a lot of effort is being made to support us all.

There is a lot of support offered to us at BAE Systems. All apprentices are encouraged to speak to skills coaches and managers if they have issues regarding work or anything else. We all have phone numbers and emails to contact them on and are always made to feel welcome to contact them regardless of the issue. We also have an Employee Assistance Programme available if we don't want to speak to someone we see regularly or for at other reason. I have never used it but I believe that they can offer assistance with anything ranging from help with mental health to legal advice and everything in between. We also do 12 week reviews were we discuss what is going well, what we're struggling with and set targets for ourselves.

We receive a lot of support from our college and are encouraged to contact them (even outside of their working hours) if we need any help or guidance with assignment work or a topic we've discussed in a lecture. The staff at our college our very clever people and they truly have a vocation to be doing what they're doing. It is clear to see that they have each been hand picked for their roles (some even leaving BAE to teach us). We are also encouraged to discuss our college life with our skills coaches in work and let them know if we are struggling with anything as well.

I think that so far, we haven't had much chance to apply our knowledge learnt in college to our job role as we have only completed our training phase so far. From speaking to placement managers and other employees of the business such as apprentices in the years above us, I can see that once we move into the business properly, we will start to use the things we learn in college a lot more and they will help us in our roles a lot.

Near the beginning of the apprenticeship, BAE Systems enrolls each of us on an Outward Bound course where we all go and stay in Cumbria for a week. Every day we completed tasks to help us with team building skills, motivation, resilience and determination. This helped a lot with getting to know each other as we spent a lot of time together and had to put our trust in one another to overcome challenged. Obviously, some people enjoy those types of activities more than others and this meant that they would encourage and guide people who where not so confident which was good and creates a strong bond from the word go. I also believe that there are sports teams in the business and there is a social club at each site. There are also events such as exhibitions held on site which allow people to network with people from across and outside of the business.

Yes

There are a too many reasons to list as to why I would recommend working at BAE Systems to a friend so I will just write the main ones. Since I applied for my job with BAE Systems, I really wanted to get it. From the very first interview I loved everything about it, the building, the layout, how modern it is, the friendliness of the staff and even the way they choose their employees. When I first walked into the building for my interview, I was obviously very nervous but all of the staff there were so friendly and helpful, from the receptionists to the managers interviewing us. We weren't made to feel like we should be nervous and I loved that. We were made to feel welcome from the word go which doesn't sound like much but it takes a lot of pressure off you when being interviewed. Also, you are not just a number when working at BAE Systems. The company chooses their employees based on them as a person and how they conduct themselves in the interview process, rather than who gets the best grades etc. The company also offers a great support network for so many different things which is unlike any company which I have worked for in the past. Not to mention the rate of pay is unbelievable for someone of my age and the aspect of obtaining a degree which the company pays for leaving us with no student debt whatsoever. As well as these reasons (and I could go on for pages) knowing that your work for British Aerospace and the pride that goes along with that is indescribable.

Be confident in your interview, try not to be nervous (as hard as that is) do your research and know what you're talking about, if you are asked anything that you don't know the answer to, say that and don't try and make something up. Treat the process as a learning experience whether you are successful or not, although, if you are successful then you will thoroughly enjoy your time working at BAE Systems.