Apprentice Review

The overview of my role and day to day tasks are Systems Engineering and Document Controller. Mainly updating documents to meet requirements, based on the stakeholders decisions. Managing meetings and deadlines to keep efficient timing when updating these documents. I also complete extra training and fill out many documents on the procedures.

I have learnt and developed many skills during this apprenticeship. These vary from using different types of software such as: Microsoft word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Electronic Document Manager, Enterprise Architect. To also learning procedures and precise processes used within the company. Learning new skills is highly promoted within our early careers sector.

I really enjoy the programme, it challenges me and rewards the hard work I put in. I find the courses are very stressful and time demanding as it has been compacted. The company has high expectations for its apprentices and so far I feel proud that I am meeting them.

The programme is structured well however we are the first year doing our course at East Surrey College so there were a few issues that needed to be worked out at the beginning but now it is going good. Overall it is organised but very compacted so has therefore been incredibly time demanding.

I receive a good amount of support from my employer, the early careers team clearly only want the best for us apprentices and give us the opportunity to become better people and employees. They offer an employee assistance programe incase we need someone to talk too regarding almost any issue.

I receive a reasonable amount of support from East Surrey College and so I feel prepared for the qualifications I am working towards. I have recently started having support sessions supplied from a member of staff in the college to help me prepare for my exams in Portsmouth Uni by using better coping mechanisms.

I feel the qualifications I am gaining provide a good basic understanding to be built apon in my role at work. I am learning an electrical course so will have a good knowledge on all theory needed for my systems engineering role. Overall I feel the apprenticeship is providing me a good level of education to meet the needs of my future job.

There is a number of extra curricular activities to get involved in at work however I do not have much time available to do these due to how time demanding my courses are. I have looked into joining the football events they are setting up and will be keeping an eye out for any others that I can try fit in my schedule.

Yes

It's a great company to work for, its reputation is brilliant and it puts alot of funding into imporving the early careers sectors and giving the employees as much opportunity to develop themselves. The business has a good structure and processes that make you feel cared for as an employee.

The advice I would give when applying to BAE Systems is just be yourself and do as much research into the company as you can so you get a good understanding of what the business has to offer and what you have to offer to the business. There is alot of opportunity in this company so just try hard and you should be fine.