Nuclear Degree Apprentice Review

We rotate around different departments in the business. The department I am currently working in is an electrical test squad, and I work both day and night shifts. The shift starts with a stand-up/handover meeting where we go over what the previous shift has done and what the workload for the day involves. We will then work through the day/night's work list which often includes line checking, megger testing, electrical calibrations and paperwork.

Yes. I have developed knowledge of my speciality, and a great many engineering skills including electrical test skills, manual working hazards, professional expectations and standards, greater knowledge of the product we create in Barrow, nuclear safety standards, and radiation precautions and considerations. Personally, my people skills have greatly improved and my network has been expanded considerably.

For the most part, the day to day work I've carried out has been very enjoyable, interesting, and educating. There have been departments that I have not felt well suited to, however I've tried my best to take as much knowledge as I can from these placements. Nonetheless I seem to have discovered the kind of work I like and am good at.

I can say that the nuclear course is one of the most well organised and best structured of the degree apprenticeship programmes at BAE based on what I have heard from my peers. Our discipline manager is very experienced and understands every in and out of the course and each placement. He makes sure we stay on top of paperwork and that we are progressing where expected, and offers us support where it is needed.

The support I have received from my employer has been mixed. The business offers a great deal of support services for physical and mental health. The support from the early careers department at BAE has been very poor in my experience. One of my skill's coaches is very good, however the rest of the early careers department has rarely been particularly useful, and as a result most issues have been handled either by my skill's coach, or, more commonly, by my discipline manager (who does not work for Early Careers).

B&FC are incredibly helpful and supportive in our degree studies, the tutors are always quick to respond and are very knowledgeable in both nuclear engineering and the broader engineering world. Although the start of our studies were heavily disrupted due to the pandemic, the college were supportive and made the best of the circumstances.

The Nuclear Engineering degree offered by B&FC naturally has to cater to a wide pool of companies, who overwhelmingly operate in the civil nuclear industry. The degree also has to provide some focus on engineering management and design skills which are less relevant to our work than to the work of the other companies. Nonetheless the course offers a great deal of knowledge about nuclear technology, history, and engineering skills that are very relevant to our course. My one main complaint is that our year has missed out on any practical modules, which both the years before and after us have been offered.

Yes. The nuclear apprentices have regular social events in order to keep the course a close-knit and friendly community. Likewise we have a lot of stretch activities to go into schools and colleges to promote the apprenticeship and nuclear industry. I also joined the 18-24 scout network in Barrow when I first joined the business which has been a good opportunity to make new friends.

Yes

The business is a very good one to work for, and despite the problems that I have encountered, the environment seem to be improving for apprentices and graduates. All the placement managers and team's I've worked in have been incredibly supportive, welcoming and helpful, and have all taken a keen interest in educating me and developing my skills and knowledge.

If you're offered the opportunity to speak to other apprentices/people in role prior to joining the business do it. The courses are not always exactly what they appear on their advertisements so it is always good to be able to speak to people who are doing the same things you'll be doing.