Electronic Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

They get you involved on real company projects, depending on your department this will determine what your doing from writing software, to building simulations, to testing hardware etc. In electronics this revolved around designing (including simulation) of a test circuit board. You must also attend design reviews and become very familiar with ECAD software.

I've learnt a large variety of skills, designing, simulating and testing various things, whether it be mechanical, software, digital electronics or RF based. I've also learnt skills to work in a large company, organise meetings & gained confidence speaking to both a technical and non-technical audience. I've been exposed to the whole design lifecycle of complex military-standard products as well as gaining an appreciation for other departments such as procurement.

The staff have been very supportive and ensure you're engaged in interesting tasks all throughout your apprenticeship. There are also a large variety of extra-curricular activities run by the company, allowing people to get involved with things such as weekly 5-a-side football to bigger events such as a mountain treks and skydives.

It's fairly well-organised. There is a plan for you to rotate around different departments for the first 2 years followed by 2 years in a final placement. This allows apprentices to see the various departments and gain a more holistic view of the company. Some of the placements are decided fairly last minute but worse case scenario your current placement will just be extended which usually isn't an issue.

Receive plenty of support from my employer, with every task there are people who can help technically within the department. Also, you are assigned a apprentice training officer along with a technical mentor. You are given a single day-release for university with another days worth of hours for development a week, this can either be completing university work, completing the company offered Coursera courses or events such as the IMechE Apprentice Challenge.

You are given a single day of day release plus a days worth of hours a week (two days worth total) to complete university work. You are also able to book off specific study days around exam time. You are assigned a technical mentor who can support you with the modules taught.

The employer helps design the course i.e. has influence on picking modules that are relevant to the work we do. The qualification is very relevant, helping with understanding and increasing the rate at which you can pick things up at work. Overall the qualification (degree) really helps with preforming the role (engineering work) better and faster.

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities to get involved with at our work. The Charity Committee helps organise a wide variety of events from football, to family fun days to bigger events such as mountain treks and skydives. There is also "Fit for Future" which organises many fun events both in and our of work hours. Even within the departments themselves they typically have events every so often such as Christmas meals out. There are many professional networking events too, such as going to a industry expo in Liverpool.

Yes

Because they offer really good career development opportunities, look after their staff and are willing to invest. As the company is so big there is such a variety of things you can get involved with and offers a really holistic experience to working. The pay and progression is also especially good for early careers.

Ensure that you look at what the company does & the site you're applying for. Also, make sure your enthusiasm comes across as this is very important in the interview stage - the most important thing will be your can-do attitude here. I would also look up what other people in similar roles have said about their experience e.g. other apprentices there.