Aircraft Service Technician Review

To learn the fundamentals of an aircraft and how to correctly perform maintenance on an aircraft

Yes, I have gained many skills through practical work that we have undertook in M7 and M11. I have also developed my existing skills with the practical works. However first year is mainly classroom based so on phase 2 off the apprenticeship is where majority of our skills will be made.

I have enjoyed some aspects of this, such as the practical etc. However the stress this has put on me for a first year apprenticeship has been immense, which I understand it isn't an easy subject we are learning about. However I believe on Resource Groups side of the management could do a bit better with how they deal with exams as well as when students come to them in regards with issues with exams (asking questions that aren't in our resources we use for the exam) and with the resources we are provided (spelling mistakes, different dates for the same things stated etc). BAE Systems management have been great with how they help their students and can't knock them for their help they have given me through the months I've been here.

This is not organised as much as I would've thought, with things changing constantly on our syllabus, having holidays between our teach of a module which really puts you off massively. I believe the structure should be looked at with how they space out the syllabus with modules, holiday etc. Missed time on practical for our Approved Hours, which are supposed to be carried out. And to try and not split a teach up with a holiday.

The Instructors are amazing with the amount of effort they put in to help you reach the best result you can get, and I can't thank them enough for everything they've done. Managing side was a mix of emotions, I'm happy with how BAE are and how they help us if we are ever stuck, Resource Group managing side could improve with the help they give us, sometimes it feels like they don't help as much as they can, when we're having issues with exams (as listed before) and resources (as listed before) provided by them, especially as the exams will determine how we do at the end of the apprenticeship, and if the exams are incorrect its very unfair since we've not be taught it.

Resource Group have to check the resources they provide to BAE Systems, as they come with many errors in them such as spelling mistakes, incorrect facts that have even been marked by the instructors who have years of experience with this kind of line, same goes with some of the exams - New exams come with old exam questions, incorrect spelling, missing words - Not on a professional level to be honest. To me I don't think they get checked not even for correct spelling before they get sent out, some look like they are copied from another source and sent out straight away such as New M10 notes. However I can't just give negatives some new notes have been amazing. Another thing to add I would prefer if we either stayed on old notes or new notes not mix and matching them

When I joined the apprenticeship, I thought I was going to gain a CAT A license, especially with doing all the CAA exams which you need to do to gain it, however as we progressed we slowly realised that we were giving some false hope and that we would not be getting a CAT A license and this is something which needs to be clarified on the job description. However from what we learn it does help, but we are working on MOD equipment not civilian aircraft, there are no galleys, lavatories etc. so some information is completely irrelevant to us.

Although we haven't had a lot of extra curricular activities, I have really liked what we have done such as outward-bounds, visit to RAF Coningsby as well as business activities which was really interesting to be a apart off to know more about our business and what company I have joined.

Yes

Although its a hard first year, hopefully the issues I have mentioned will get resolved. BAE Systems is a very rewarding company. Second year does seem a lot better, a lot more relaxed - obviously still put all the effort in to achieve your NVQ.

That they are not receiving a CAT A license at the end, you learn more in M10, that the MAA do not require the same license as CAA. A car is a must for second year especially if you live far from base as there is normally no public transport directly to the bases