Business Apprentice Review

The role that I have been recruited for is to be a project planner. This is the role I will go into at the end of my apprenticeship however throughout my apprenticeship I have had placements at many different functions within the business.

I have learnt many IT skills which I did not know before my apprenticeship. All of these skills help me be more productive and I know how to use many different specialised computer programmes. I have also picked up communication skills throughout my apprenticeship via face-to-face, email, meetings, video conference and telephone.

I really have enjoyed my apprenticeship and I am very glad I choose this route over university. I came out of school with 8 highers, and had been accepted to do the courses I wanted at university, but the opportunity to enter a huge well known business at a young age and start learning and earning was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.

All of the employees that I have encountered through my apprenticeship have been extremely helpful. They all take the time out of their days to help with your work and also delegate responsibility to you to carry out tasks.

The programme at Selex ES is very structured. Each apprentice has a placement plan which they follow over the course of their apprenticeship which is laid out and has the departments you will be in, dates and who your department boss will be.

In the business apprenticeship you have two training providers. Firstly you have the provider for your SVQ which takes place over your first year, they were very helpful and helped you through the SVQ. We also go to college on a day release basis studying for an HNC in business. All of the college teachers were very helpful and always had extra time to help.

The employer support you in every aspect of your apprenticeship. We have an apprentice manager who supports us on every aspect of the apprenticeship. Also all of the different functions that tie into the apprenticeship programme support you in each aspect.

Selex ES pay business apprentices more than double the standard apprenticeship pay. This meets all costs and also at the end of each year, your salary is reviewed and you gain bonus/increase salary.

During the apprenticeship there are always on going activities and exercises. These allow you to get involved in different areas of the business/outside of the business which you do not get the chance to do in your day job.

Yes

It is a great opportunity for young people to earn and learn in a huge business. I have already recommended it to two of my friends from school, and they are now both apprentices' in the year below me who also achieved many highers but decided to take the opportunity to start work.

I would say go for it. You are getting trained and paid and learning when you do not even realise it. You get to enter a company and learn from people who have been there and done it, not learning out of a book at university.