Quality Engineering (Reactor) Review

My role involves sentencing defects, categorising them, and then using the data generated from the previous steps to develop projects that will decrease the defects during future activities. Currently this revolves around improving welding performance but the projects are targeted depending on mean time between failure of different processes and other variables

Data analysis skills such as using pivot tables, and slicers, to generate a suitable data set. Using different chart types to identify trends such as Pareto charts, and P charts to understand whether a process is stable. Other Excel skills like creating dashboards are being developed and I am in the early stages of using Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt)

I do enjoy my programme immensely having learnt a massive amount of new skills and technical knowledge to enable me to perform my job role. My team is fantastic and very supportive. My only criticism currently is I feel that the company itself culturally struggles to implement change which can be very frustrating.

Up until the fourth year the structure has been fantastic. Induction covered everything necessary. Training has been in-depth and widely available. All the placements I have been in have been supportive and my workload has been manageable but challenging. This years studying has been unnecessarily stressful however with some new lecturers not delivering to the same standard as previously experienced and two difficult modules being run simultaneously.

I mentioned the issues around the difficult modules and I have been given additional work time to complete my assignments in lieu of work once term has finished. I have also been given additional guidance around completing my dissertation by members of my team who have been through the same process.

The training team are very supportive and are willing to give guidance whenever needed. Their teaching methods tend to alleviate most problems and if there is anything specific they will respond ASAP. We have been given individual mentors for our dissertations who we can go to with any concerns, as an example.

As you would expect some of the learning from a degree is not specifically relevant to a job role but the skills learnt should be applicable. We are lucky enough to have a tailored Nuclear Engineering degree being delivered to us by our provider. A number of the modules covered on the course have been useful for my day to day role.

There are a number of teams, events and voluntary initiatives ran from our site. These include sports clubs, hiking groups, environmental groups that do beach clean-ups, etc. Stretch activities like STEM ambassadors are a big part of working on our site and is encouraged. I am currently more focused on completing my academic work.

Yes

The benefits to doing an apprenticeship at BAE are numerous. The level of support you receive is, in my opinion, unparalleled. You learn the skills necessary to do your job whilst receiving academic training and qualification simultaneously; and this will set you up for the rest of your life. I would highly recommend applying.

Be prepared for a challenging experience having to balance work, education and stretch activities; with your home life. Prior to interviews write a list of experiences you have had that show you in a good light that you can present as examples; and tailor them to the job you are applying for to achieve maximum impact