Technical Apprentice Review

My role as an apprentice is to support the department within the placement by carrying out tasks provided to me by my supervisor and to complete reports and observations that will support my NVQ. These tasks can start off as shadowing an engineer to learn and understand the processes to carrying out full tests of units unsupervised once enough understanding and knowledge has been achieved.

I have developed my Engineering skills from working on both electronic and mechanical components, the work within the placements have helped develop my IT skills, and my maths and English skills have both been developed from both my time in the various placements and my time in and completing the various assignments set from the college.

Within the apprenticeship programme, i enjoy having the opportunity to move around the different departments around the company, getting a feel for the different types of work that is available at BAE Systems, and meeting new contacts within the business and hearing about their experiences and how they started their careers whether it be older apprentices or through joining the business through other channels.

The overall structure of the programme is well structured with a clear plan on what is expected throughout the total length of the programme and within the second year, there is a clear plan of the rotation of the placements and a set day for our learning at the college.

I receive a good amount of support from my employer from an NVQ meeting every 4-5 weeks along with a 12 week review that includes a behaviour matrix completed by the supervisor in my current placement to track my progress and notify me on any areas of improvement. Within the placements most staff members have had similar prior experiences and are willing to share their knowledge and experience with me as well as providing me extra support and work if I require it.

The training provider staff are willing to review work and provide feedback out of hours and support me if I am struggling in any areas.

It has broadened my knowledge on the various challenges I have come across within the different placements and the skills from the college allows me to overcome some of them on my own.

Yes, there are after work sporting events, each apprentice is allocated a role to work with the various extra-curricular teams such as the charity committee. This allows us to begin networking with various people within the business which an apprentice may not have the opportunity to ever work with or get in contact with.

Yes

BAE Systems offers work that is truly unique compared to other employers and the opportunities to grow and develop your career are unmatched. The work within BAE Systems is so varied ensures that there is something available for people with all sorts of different workstyles and skillsets. There is a highly diverse team of people of various backgrounds and skills that are happy to share that knowledge with you and the business provides multiple different supporting options.

Do not feel daunted by the scale of the business and the type of work carried out that vast amounts of knowledge is required prior to joining. BAE Systems offers multiple different avenues to enter the business and actively assists in the development of these skills to allow you to integrate within the business.