Apprentice Designer Review

My role mainly involves using CAD systems to solve problems and carry out numerous different tasks expected of me. I could be routing pipes, positioning pipe supports, positioning equipment or creating output drawings like pipe Isometrics and Pipe support drawings. Communication is a main part of the job role, as information is needed to be found from many different parts of the company.

There are many skills that i have developed through working at BAE systems mainly surrounding communication and problem solving. My communication skills have massively improved allowing me to be more comfortable asking questions and seeking out answers in order to complete work to a high standard. New skills i have learnt include becoming proficient in the CAD systems used within BAE.

I thoroughly enjoy my current programme at BAE systems, the work is fulfilling and satisfying and the company allows me flexibility in my working times as i can start any time between 6 and 9:30 and finish anytime between 3 and 7 as long as the minimum 37 hours is met between Monday and Friday.

My BAE systems apprenticeship is very structured and organised, you are told from the get go what your programme will involve. For my apprenticeship the first year was full time college completing my National Diploma. After this year i moved onto site and began on my first design team placement while having day release once a week to complete my HNC at a local college.

BAE systems offer a lot of support to their employees this ranges from a vast early careers, team that can be approached about any issues you may be having in work or in your home life, to the people working around you and your team leaders. Any type of support that may be needed, is offered in some capacity.

The teaching i have received from Furness College has been great, the work can be challenging and the teachers work hard to ensure that you understand the different subjects and can pass the various assignments and exams. Within work the early careers team support me to ensure i am getting the relevant experience needed for the job role by placing you on different teams for placements throughout the apprenticeship.

With the HNC their is not a huge amount of cross over with what i do in my job role. The main things that do transfer are the understandings of engineering drawings and the CAD experience. The more complex math and mechanical engineering do not directly transfer into my current job role but are important subjects to learn if you wish to progress to do your degree and become and engineer.

As far as i know there are no specific extra-curricular activities put on by the company, but there are many employees within BAE that sign up for out of work activities together, whether it be creating a 5-a-side football team or signing up for the Keswick to Barrow walk as a team.

Yes

I would definitely recommend BAE systems to a friend as it is a company which allows you to earn a very good wage for doing a very interesting and challenging job which brings you great job satisfaction. Also their is so much opportunity to carry on moving up in the company and trying out different job roles or a great start to a career if you wanted to move companies down the line as an apprenticeship from a well respected company like BAE looks very good on a CV.

The tips/advice i would give to people applying to BAE systems would be to really research the company and understand what they do/what the role is that you are applying for. If you are applying to be a designer then learn what CAD systems are used, learn what BAE are currently manufacturing at the site you are applying to and research them.