Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

First 9 months are spent at a training facility learning theoretical modules, hand skills in the workshop and completing tasks on aircraft in the hangar. After 9 months you are moved in to placement. You do 6 5month placements in different areas of the business - you can have some choice over these but generally only in the later stages. Depending on your placement you will be completing different tasks - it is all real work, you're not just making cups of tea and stapling bits of paper.

Yes, pretty much everything from networking and organising events to using software such as Matlab. the range of skills you can learn is massive, and there is always opportunity to do more and your managers will support you with this

Massively. Whilst there can be some occasional issues, especially with the university side of stuff, issues are generally resolved quickly and your skills coaches and management team are generally on your side to support you. Although its not perfect, nothing ever is and I still think doing this is the best decision I could have made for myself

Relatively well structured. You know exactly when your placements will change although you don't always know all of the placements you will be doing. whilst things do sometimes change in the programme the early careers team are always very supportive.

Loads. Our skills coaches are amazing - they will support you through whatever you need. I have spoken to many people in the supporting team when I have had issues and they have always been super helpful. People there want you to do well, so support is always there if you need it.

We have weekly college days where we are taught for college. Ours are generally online but it depends where in the country you are based. Lectures can be of mixed quality, and we have had one lecturer who was particularly bad however the vast majority want to support you, and the benefits of everything else in the scheme outweigh the issues with the college, especially given you are getting all of your qualifications for free

It definitely can do - the theory covered can give you a really good background for things, however it completely depends what placements you are doing - some will have no relevance to college however many do link together

yes - social activities are organised on a semi regular basis. There are loads of professional networking events you can get involved in, for example there is a group for any apprentice who works on FCAS across any of the companies so you can got to events and see what other people working on a part of the same project as you are doing

Yes

Yes absolutely would recommend it - it's a super supportive place to work - everyone you meet wants you to do well and will absolutely support you. Everyone I've met through work has been friendly and I've had the opportunity to do some incredible work. The pay and other benefits are also good, generally two pay rises a year and regular bonuses. It's definitely much better than comparable schemes I looked at when applying.

Be confident in yourself - don't underplay your own achievements. In the interviews don't panic, you can ask them to repeat questions or take a minute to answer and no one will judge you for it. Even if you're terrified and not sure you're making the right choice - just go for it. It is so worth it and is the best thing I have ever done