Degree Apprentice Review

My role consists of constant learning from different areas of the business with no expectation to deliver any tangible outcomes. Within the 5 years we are simply expected to learn all we can in order to develop for our end role. We are given the responsibility to take our learning into our own hands and choose what we get out of each 6 monthly placement in order to develop and enjoy our apprenticeship to the fullest.

Yes, definitely. I am continuously pushed out of my comfort zone to try new things and develop, not only as an engineer, but as an individual too. I have had the opportunity to work in environments I would not have been able to before and this has helped me to work better under pressure or when things don't go to plan. Collaboration is a huge skill I have developed while working for the business among many others. This is a company focused on the development of their employees.

This is a programme I have dreamed of undertaking since I was very young. I have been given many opportunities to take my development into my own hands and trusted to get the most benefit out of my apprenticeship. Each placement has been selected to best prepare me for entering the business as a qualified engineer and the experiences I have had have been priceless.

Personally, my programme has been very well structured as my placement manager has taken the time to develop a custom placement plan so I am aware of where I will be spending my time and when. This allows me time to prepare for a new placement before being thrown straight in. However, I do know of a number of apprentices who have not been so lucky to have such an organised and structured programme.

The support I receive from my employer is brilliant and like none I have ever encountered before. We have a designated early careers team who are there solely to provide us with any support we feel we may need whether that is business related or more personal. As an employee of the company we are entitled to a free subscription to a mental well being app and we have an employee assistance programme for those who feel as thought they need someone to reach out to. Apart from the excellent support from the early careers team, all managers I have come across in my placements have been more than helpful offering their experiences and any help and support we may need.

This is where the apprenticeship is lacking. Furness college offers little to no support and the support they do offer comes across extremely un-sincere. It almost feels as though when support is required it is almost a hardship for those who are there to provide this, to do so. Tutors act as though their job is a chore which makes them very unapproachable and many tutors have been temporary meaning learning is extremely disjointed. Teaching seems to be a tick-box exercise rather than an activity to educate those in classes. I must admit, Furness College is the one aspect of my apprenticeship that I do not enjoy. BAE Systems have been made aware of the issue and were quick to respond with support provided for education through the business and have assured us that action is to be taken to deal with the issues at Furness College.

I understand that the qualification is to provide the theory behind the practical we complete at work however, we are given little to no information from the education provider regarding how the theories and methods we are learning can help us in our roles as engineers (how this links to our workplace). Many previous Higher and Degree apprentices in the business have provided great support in addition to the education we are receiving which has helped understand how the education will link to our roles.

There are many social activities organised by the teams I have been with throughout my time with the business such as Christmas parties and retirement parties however these are organised and funded by individuals and not the business. This is the same for sports teams and events, many people in the business organise things like football, climbing and hiking outside of work hours and this has helped as I moved to the area for the job. The business sometimes organises challenges for charities but social activities are rare.

Yes

The main reason I would recommend BAE Systems to friend is due to the support they provide all employees, including, but not limited to apprentices. BAE Systems is a company focused on the development of their employees both for the benefit of the business and the individual. The support the provide is impeccable, whether this is related to work or personal life, the company have many lines to follow for those who need a little extra support. As an apprentice, I feel extremely valuable to the company, mainly due to their focus on my development and the time that those, even in senior positions, have for me, which is rare to find. As many people know, the benefits of working for the company are excellent, including a great pension and share scheme for all employees. I could go on about the reasons why I would recommend anyone to work for BAE Systems, but above all, I have never experienced such a positive working environment based on the trust the company has in its employees which results in an excellent opportunity for development and work output.

Don't be discouraged if you are unsuccessful upon your first application. The company is one of the most difficult in the world to be accepted into, I had to apply 5 times before I was finally accepted onto my dream course with my dream company. It is absolutely worthwhile to continue applying if you aren't successful with you first, second or even third application! Ensure you are as prepared as you possibly can be for your aptitude tests and interviews, but try your best to be yourself as the company are not just looking for qualifications, they are looking for an individual who will fit into their supportive environment and someone who is open to continuous learning throughout their career. If you go in with an open mind, a passion for the sector you are applying for and be your authentic self, you will be successful one day!