Environmental Engineering Degree apprentice Review

I work creating simulations of a live environment that our product would face in a predetermined lifespan. This includes random and sine vibration, mimicking transportation shocks for example, and temperature changes from -40 degrees to 70 degrees. This involves a lot of hands on physical work, which I am really lucky to have the chance to do as a lot of other apprenticeships do not offer this.

MBDA have countless training opportunities from day 1 that they encourage you to partake in. My favourite has been learning how to operate an overhead crane in our labs, learning how to counteract a swinging load, how to sling a load properly, and how to calculate the allowable mass given the types of slings and knots you use.

I love being a degree apprentice. You get a lot of the social aspect that puts a lot of people off of apprenticeship schemes as opposed to going to uni, due to being able to meet other apprentices at your company, as well as the other apprentices on your university course.

The working side of the apprenticeship is extremely well structures. We have3 month rotational placements around all of mechanical engineering at MBDA, meaning you get to dip your toes into all different engineering departments MBDA have to offer. This means you know better what you want to do once you lease off of your apprenticeship. University is well organised, but issues with only being at university one day a week can start to appear as the course goes on.

MBDA are extremely supportive of apprenticeships, as are all the employees. You are treated as an equal from day one, and everyone is very interested into helping you get the most out of your different placements. You receive mental health teachings, you go on adventure and team building trips, you get annual health check ups. Overall MBDA is an extremely good place to work in terms of their support before, during and after your apprenticeship.

University of Hertfordshire provides good support throughout the apprenticeship. Although they do give out a high amount of work, you are often given longer to complete it than full time students as they appreciate and understand that you work full time alongside your degree. Degree apprenticeships are hard work, but give so many rewards after their completion.

My work matches well with what I learn at university. They help you to act professionally, ask educated questions, and present yourself properly when presenting and talking to those in higher managerial positions. I learn about things at work that I then learn more about at uni, and visa versa.

MBDA have lots of opportunities to network and be social. I myself have had the opportunity to set up an MBDA netball team, which receives funding from MBDA to run at a low cost to members. There are lots of different social events, such as christmas dinners, pub crawls, and team building activities, (I have been on escape rooms, trips to london, etc)

Yes

MBDA are one of the top providers of apprenticeships in the country. The support you are given is next level and the ability to earn whilst you learn is something to admire. You get work experience as well as a degree, which will put you apart from those who choose to go to university

Apply early and do your research on the company values and include them in your answers. Answer questions naturally and personally. If you have to pretend to be someone you're not in order to get a job then the job is not for you. I would say apply to as many apprenticeships as possible as they are so competitive and hard to come by.