Ordnance Munitions and Explosives Degree Apprentice Review

Negatives - Apprenticeships should have an Apprenticeship Master. Dstl does not have an apprenticeship master. Therefore, all apprenticeships across Dstl are conducted differently. This has led to different treatment of apprentices. - Contradictory policy statements. The apprenticeship scheme follows a different set of rules that are ‘management requests’. As a result, apprentices are treated differently to permanent employees. Some of these requests are reasonable, some of these are not. An example of an unreasonable request is that expense claims are to be conducted in your own personal time. Obviously, this is completely unreasonable. - Team Leaders are not technical managers. This isn’t a problem in your first or perhaps second year. However, it has become more apparent that the further in the apprenticeship I go, the lack of a technical managers, whilst I conduct technical work, is negatively impacting my ability to produce great evidence. - Management is inconsistent. - Management favour helping each other rather than supporting the apprentices. - Management weaponize Occupational Health. - As soon as a couple of weeks ago, we had an “apprenticeship update”. In the apprenticeship update presentation, the TL’s referred to themselves as having an “iron fist management”. I think this really sets the tone for the type of management that are currently running the apprenticeship scheme. - There is a culture of vindictiveness even within the apprentices themselves. As early as 2 weeks ago, I heard an apprentice state and I quote “I will step on anyone to further my career”. - In my opinion, there is a culture of victim blaming and arguably a bullying culture. - Placement Team Leaders are often not up to date with the apprenticeship scheme. Therefore, it can be quite difficult working with placements, and getting relevant experience to hit the right KSBs. - As placements are rotated every 6-12 months, in my experience, teams don’t tend to invest in the apprentice because of this. - There is not a choice in the placements, these are at your TL’s discretion. - In my experience with placements, I have found that I have 0-25% utilisation of my time. - Even though placements are varied, the quality of the placements are also very varied. There are some apprentices that have reached Year 4 without ever writing a risk assessment. - University work is unsupported by Dstl. Assignments are common for each module that you will sit however no time is allocated to help with assignments in general or if you are struggling with the workload. Other industry apprentices from the same OME scheme DO provide this support. - University work. You cannot conduct University work on your work laptop. Therefore, you will need to buy your own laptop upon starting, or you will have to take manual notes and write up assignments at a library. The university DO provide hire laptops, but they can only be used when youre at university block and cannot be taken home between blocks. - Travelling to the University in Swansea is on your own time. Particularly difficult if you have a 3–4-hour drive on a Sunday approx. every ~ 6 weeks. - Competitors pay are higher on the same scheme. - Competitors have a better expense policy. (i.e. paying 50p per mile whilst travelling in your own vehicle off site, rather than 25p per mile at Dstl). - Working from home is possible… however it largely depends on your Team Leader and what mood they are in. - Ask at interview ‘How many people who have started the apprenticeship, through hire and internal transfer, have stayed on the apprenticeship?’. It will be quite telling… Positive - Dstl provides hire cars for offsite travel. - EnableD (the disability network) are a great resource at Dstl. They do provide quite and extensive support scheme, but you do need to be proactive when looking for help. - Placements at Dstl are varied. They include off site work with industry partners and onsite work within different teams. - University work has been quite good and challenging, although the work is not always relevant. - IExpE – get involved. There are some really good mentors that are a treasure to the industry. - Flexi time

I definitely have new experiences - but I dont believe I have developed in my career progression. I would argue that I have taken a step backwards.

University time with my team has been fantastic. However the overarching issues at Dstl override the good experience I have had with colleagues.

KSBs are relevant however there are many that are very specific, which would not apply to all apprentices for all industry. The university modules are not always relevant, however I have personally enjoyed them.

See negatives

6 weekly reviews, which is the bare minimum for an apprenticeship scheme.

There are only 2 OME modules in 5 years. The first OME module is in your second year. As a whole the programme will make me more employable but not necessarily supportive of my current role.

STEPS is a good network within Dstl that is open to all new starters. Events are few and far between but they do happen. There is no specific apprentice extra-curricular activities.

No

See negatives

Keep your head above water. Consider other industry partners who run the same apprenticeship scheme and transfer to Dstl after the apprenticeship is completed, if you specifically want to work with Dstl.