Engineering technician - Electronic systems Review

My role within BAE Systems as an apprentice involves attending collage to study Level 3 courses based around skillsets my position will require such Electronic principles and Electronic fault finding. This role also involves attending the BAE Systems Rochester site, being hands on with the aerospace and defence products we manufacture.

During my time at BAE Systems so far I have already developed a range of skills that will be required through my career, I can confidently fault find and construct fault reports, design and construct electronic circuits I have also learnt bench fitting skills useful to me in all settings. overall a very valuable experience.

Words cannot describe how much I enjoy my programme at BAE Systems, the ability to study with such an innovative and industry leading company is immense, I have met many incredible people who inspire me greatly, the courses and work are very engaging and interesting, BAE Systems as a company is very supportive especially through COVID. Overall this programme is great and a massive opportunity for young people wanting a fruitful career in engineering. I am proud to say I work at BAE Systems.

My programme is well organised, BAE Systems works hard to keep us informed along the process and work with our collage training provider to ensure the program is delivering the skills we require. The structure of my programme works well, we move onto courses one after the other, each course interlinks therefore we retain and test our knowledge through the course.

We receive a lot of support from BAE Systems, we have monthly catch up calls in order to ensure we are informed, have all of our questions answered and any concerns we have are addressed. Our line managers are always happy to hear from us and they encourage us to seek help when we need it. Overall I feel like I am well supported and a key part of the BAE Systems family.

Our training provider does this well, the trainers provide us with their emails and we can contact them for guidance if we are stuck on any of the collage work. The safeguarding team also provides multiple points of contact so that we can confidently raise any issues within the workplace.

I feel like the qualification helps immensely within my role. Coming from a background of primarily mechanical engineering, electronics was daunting at first as its a whole new specialism I had to learn, this was made easier through the collage courses learning the principles of electronics, circuitry and computer aided design (CAD). The aspects taught within the qualification is essential for an Electronics Systems Technician to have and has made me perform well within my role.

Within BAE Systems we have a range of extra curricular activities for apprentices of all years to be involved with. Recently myself and a number of my colleagues ran 100 miles each over the period of 4 weeks to support one of our sponsored charities combat stress. BAE Systems not only offers charitable activities, they also offer outreach opportunities where apprentices can go into local schools and inspire the next generation to take up engineering. They also offer various sporting clubs to be involved with along with social clubs. BAE Systems also offers the opportunity to be involved with exhibition stands and showing the general public why BAE Systems is the leading defence systems manufacturer.

Yes

I am thoroughly enjoying my time at BAE Systems, I have already had many opportunities provided to me, BAE Systems cares greatly about their employees, I feel included, safe and very interested with the work they produce. I would definitely recommend this to a friend so that they can have the opportunities BAE Systems have given me.

When applying for BAE Systems I would give these KEY pieces of advice: - Research into the company: When you apply for BAE Systems I would advise some research into the company, find out exactly what we manufacture and the areas that we operate in. BAE Systems likes candidates who research and know about the company. - Be yourself: BAE Systems looks for a genuine and interested candidate, if you be yourself during the application process this will come more naturally. - Work hard: To be a BAE Systems apprentice you have to be very studious and have a good work ethic, if you are studious you will achieve many great things. - Show an interest: BAE Systems looks for candidates with an interest within engineering, aerospace and defence.