Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

Every six months my role changes but currently I work on assembly diagrams, cabling diagrams, coding for automated tests, designing a monitoring system, meetings, and general team working. Each day can vary greatly but I have underlining tasks to work towards so there is a structure to my work all the time.

I have developed many new skills. These include; team working, presentation skills, office etiquette, organisation skills (with meetings, planning my work, etc.), software skills (a variety of software from basic Microsoft office to more specific design software), time management skills (ensuring all my tasks are completed on time and ensuring I am up to date with college work).

I thoroughly enjoy my programme, especially as my role changes every six months so I am constantly learning new areas of the business and improving my wider skills. I am treated as a full employee from day one but am also helped learn the ropes along the way as I am not expected to know everything straight away.

My programme is well organised as we have multiple early careers leads who we can contact at any time for help or advice. There are also regular meetings to provide us with information or to check up on how we are coping. It is also arranged that there are specific college days so that work is kept separate.

I receive lots of support from my employer. As mentioned before, we have regular meetings to ensure we are coping well and are happy, as well as being able to contact multiple people for help or advice. We are also supported internally from our teams with the work we are carrying out as we are not expected to know how to do everything straight away.

I also receive lots of support from my training provider because the lecturers are always on hand to answer any questions I have, whether this is during lessons or outside of lesson time, they are always happy to help. The lessons are well structured to cover all of the information required and further information to help our understanding where necessary.

I feel that my qualification definitely helps me perform in my role as I recognise things I have been taught so it allows me to get straight on with it, rather than having to learn something unfamiliar. I also learn things from work that then get taught in more detail at college.

Yes there are plenty of extra-curricular activities to get involved in. For example; there are lots of social events with early careers, there are sporting teams being set up for early careers at the moment, there are also award ceremonies which are great networking events to get involved in, there are also STEM activities to get involved in as well.

Yes

The company have a great early careers team that involve all areas of early careers so you build a varied group of colleagues within different areas of the business. The company also support you in every way they can and ensure you are treated as a full employee from day one, ensuring you can get involved in as many experiences as possible.

I would encourage others to take plenty of time on their application, ensuring it outlines the true person they are. Ensure you are passionate about the work BAE do by researching the areas available and finding the best area and department for them. Once you are suitably passionate about what we do, then approach the application with all you’ve got!