Information Management and Technology Degree Apprentice Review

This relies heavily on the placement you are in at the time; during my time on a software engineering placement I worked alongside my manager on various projects, whilst also having the opportunity to lead my own project which had a positive effect business-wide. Working directly with our product has allowed me to really understand the business, and understand my responsibilities in ensuring the delivery of the products.

The combination of formal education from Cranfield University, partnered with the on-the-job experience at BAE has provided me with a level of technical understanding that pure academia alone could not match. Putting things into practice, weather that be RAD or 'good database design concepts', has allowed me to understand these topics in great detail.

I couldn't enjoy it more. You truly feel like a part of the team, no matter which placement you are in, and you can see daily how the work you complete enables the business to produce some truly remarkable products. Externally of the work itself, the various people I have had the pleasure to work with have made the programme a really pleasant experience!

The programme appears to be well-structured on both my employer's side and my training provider's side. I complete four days a week at work, and one day a week at university; however, every 3-4 months, I travel to university for an extended period of time (usually a week). When I am at work, I will be on a placement with a specific team, and these placements change every 3-6 months.

There is support from the business as a whole, and my function in particular, in order to provide me with ample organisation and structure. There are dedicated feedback and well-being sessions that I attend with a progress coach to ensure that any questions I have can be answered and any concerns can be addressed. At a more local/function level, we have a dedicated early careers lead (point of contact) that organises our placements and hosts monthly apprentice group sessions in order to address any of our concerns.

All apprentices are given a dedicated coach at university. The coach conducts 3-monthly reviews in order to track your progress throughout the programme. The coach is also there as a point of contact if you need a quick question answering or if there is something more serious you would like to discuss. I have contacted my coach on multiple occasions and they have been able to promptly help me each time.

The qualification from my training provider has provided me with fundamental knowledge that has acted as a foundation when entering new teams at work; consequently, allowing me to 'dive' into the work quickly and subsequently allowing me to get the most out of each placement. The 'soft skills' aspect of my qualification has allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills, which in turn, has made me more confident in everyday tasks such as sending professional emails, and articulating complex topics to different audiences.

There are various 'stretch' activities, whether that be litter-picking in the town, or attending careers fairs at local schools. There are also other events that BAE sponsors/endorses such as the annual Keswick to Barrow Charity Walk which is a great way to engage with the community and support a charity of your choice!

Yes

BAE is a truly impressive company, that delivers world-class products; having the chance to work on these complex systems as you work towards your qualification is an amazing opportunity. You always feel part of the team, no matter what function or placement you are working on, because, you, your peers, and even BAE Systems as a whole, share the same ambitions and core values.

Understand the BAE core values and behaviours, as these are the underlying foundation for everything we do and how we conduct ourselves! Don't be afraid to ask questions, whether that be in your interview or in the job itself! Everyone starts somewhere, and your peers will be more than happy to share their knowledge and expertise with you!