Engineering Degree Apprentice (Aerospace) Review

As an aerospace engineering degree apprentice, your time with the company starts with 6 months of training at the Academy for Skills and Knowledge in Samlesbury. Here, you learn fitting techniques, CAD, Electronics and business improvement techniques. This teaches you some engineering basics and allows you to settle in before moving into placements in the company. Placements generally start for all 1st years in April, and typically last for 5 to 6 months. You will be placed in a variety of engineering disciplines, from design engineering on Tempest to airworthiness on Typhoon. You will enjoy some placements more than others, but this will help you to decide where you want to be in the company after you finish the apprenticeship. Whilst on placement you complete work that is needed for the project, but this also contributes to your Level 4 qualification that you do at the same time.

The whole apprenticeship revolves around learning new skills and developing old ones. In the training academy you will experience the type of learning that you may do at a college, but when you go into placements you will learn through your work. The company uses a document called a behaviour matrix and reviews your progress in 12 weekly reviews to make sure that you are developing. You will always be given help if you need it.

I really enjoy my programme. I have lots of enthusiasm for all things aviation, which makes working for a company developing next generation fighter jets really interesting. The other apprentices are really nice and friendly, and I found it easy to make friends. The age group in my group is 18-23, but everyone mixes together . There are lots of opportunities to interact with apprentices in the years above you, and a massive support network if you ever need it. I love the challenges that I work through, and whilst parts of the apprenticeship can seem daunting at first, working through them helps your confidence massively. Very, very enjoyable.

The educational structure of the apprenticeship is sound. The degree is from Lancaster university but delivered through Blackpool and the Fylde college, who teach well. They make you aware of how the degree is structured from the start. The organisation can be a bit hit and miss sometimes, but this is partly because they doubled the numbers for my year and didn't plan thoroughly. They do make a strong effort to correct anything that needs correcting, but often you have to ask. However, during the COVID19 crisis everything has been handled well and feels organised.

As much support as I could possibly want. Each year has a dedicated skills coach, who supports and tracks your progress through the programme. In addition, you can also ask other people on your placement if you need help. The college is also very supportive with degree work. My skills coach is particularly good- very understanding and seems to know everyone in my year well only 6 months in (there are 38 of us I believe).

You have a paid day at college once a week where you complete work towards your degree. If you need additional support from the employer, they are always happy to help where they can. Sometimes the college will organise public speaking activities to boost your skills (such as a dragons den task), and will invite your placement manager/ skills coach to come and watch. They will give feedback and help you improve.

The work you do at college helps you with your job and vice-versa. It is hands down the best way to get a degree. Engineering requires a large amount of subject knowledge, and as you progress through the apprenticeship, you will learn more and have lots of opportunities to put it into practice in the workplace.

Yes, there are quite a few. In November we had a degree apprentice celebration event, which involved a 3-course meal in black-tie dress. This was a great opportunity to meet apprentices from all years and just have an informal chat with lots of people. There are sometimes charity events that you can support or even run. The opportunity to be a STEM ambassador is one of the highlights, which supports your apprenticeship and allows you to develop.

Yes

Well-paid, interesting, supportive: a great career. The best way to get a degree. You have lots of free time to enjoy yourself and unlike a university student, the money too! It is a privilege to work for such a well=known company with a great reputation. There are so many opportunities to develop yourself and I don't think I could recommend it more. There is nowhere id rather be after my A-levels. The future is bright.

Put your all into your application. Think of the skills that an engineering company may be looking for and highlight how you have developed these through extra-curricular activities. Make sure there is a lot more to you than just school grades. Understand what the company does (especially air sector) when you go for the assessment day. Good Luck!