Business Apprentice Review

I am a procurement business apprentice, on my apprenticeship we complete a series of placements each lasting roughly 20 weeks. Each placement is different so what they involve is different - in my current placement my role includes managing orders for suppliers, managing the debt and feeding into the wider team performance metrics data.

I have developed my confidence immensely along with my communication skills, adaptability and technical skills. I have learnt how to use new systems and and how to communicate and work with both internal and external stakeholders, how to raise purchase orders and the processes from getting quotation requests to placing the orders and getting the delivers, receipted and the invoices paid.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme, there are so many opportunities to meet new people, learn about what other people in the business do. The working culture is really nice, there's tons of support available and almost everyone I meet is interested in learning about what I'm doing on my apprenticeship and keen to offer support and advice.

I think that the programme is structures really well, there is a good balance of off the job learning and hands on training to gain experience. The multiple placements allow us to gain insight and experience in different areas of the business which further develops our skills and knowledge. The assignments are well spread out and we are given plenty of time to complete them.

The amount of support available to us is really impressive. We have placement leads and skills coaches who are a constant source of support making sure everything is okay for us and that we are happy in what we are doing. There are other apprentices and ex apprentices there for support along with out placements teams.

We receive lots of support from our skills coaches who run our off the job sessions both during and outside of the sessions. They are always available to call and they provide lots of help and feedback on our assignments. They have a positive attitude and are always happy to support us.

The content that we cover in our off the jobs days relates to our roles in the business and helps me to understand the the stakeholders involved in what I do and how my role affects them. It also helps me to understand and comply with company policies that relate to my role.

There are lots of things we can get involved with at BAE Systems such as social events, clubs and volunteering. There are employee led groups for supporting LGBTQ+, Women equality, Disability Equality etc.. There are running clubs on site and team gatherings within the individual teams throughout different areas of the business.

Yes

It is a friendly and supportive working environment, the flexible working culture makes it easy to keep a good work life balance and the company's attitude towards accommodating it's employees and supporting their career progression by providing tons of opportunities is really positive. I am extremely happy working at BAE Systems.

Be yourself in the interview, BAE isn't looking for just one type of person. Take opportunities that are available to you throughout the apprenticeship and don't put too much pressure on yourself. You will develop your skills as you progress through the apprenticeship, it is all about learning and developing - you're not expected to know what you're doing right away!