2nd year technical apprentice Review

Currently in my second year as a technical apprentice at BAE Systems Brough. My first year was at the training academy at Samlesbury doing fitting and metal work. At the moment I move departments every 4 months at work to gain an understanding of the different work that goes on in each department and to get a feel for the areas and work I like too. I tend to do more administrative work at the moment as I’m just starting out.

During my first year on the other BAE Systems site we learnt and developed our craft skills as we did metal work such as welding etc. We also focused and learnt the basics of flight and aeronautical engineering and this is obviously specific to us because that’s what sub-industry BAE Systems is in. I have learnt to be more open and ask questions to people I work with too.

I really enjoyed my first year at Samlesbury because I was able to be more independent as I lived close to the site and I enjoyed the freedom of this. I have met some really nice apprentices on my course and we’re all good friends now which is beneficial to us if any of us need help. I also enjoy my programme as the salary if good and our education is paid for too.

I think BAE Systems really values me as they are paying my wages and for my education. The company ensures I am well looked after and have no problems wherever I am in the business. We have reviews every few weeks with our line manager and we are asked questions on our wellbeing and such too. I feel as though the company value my work and progress throughout my apprenticeship so far.

My programme is organised well as the placements we go into on our second year are laid out for us and are explained to the relevant supervisors and managers within the areas we go too. My current supervisor organised work I could do before I came into the department however in my first department I was held back due to access I needed for various programmes which could have been resolved with a bit of forward-planning instead.

I got a lot of support at Samlesbury in the first year of my apprenticeship. Our teacher helped us out and gave the information and education in a really good way. They ensured everyone was happy with the work and could understand the work we did too. I’m currently in college now and so far I feel comfortable and supported during my day-release visit there.

My line manager/employer gives me a lot of support and always asks if I need any more help and that I feek comfortable with the work given to me and that im kept busy too. The supervisor for my current placement has ensured that the employees I work with in this department give me the help I need and that the work I do is beneficial at this point in my apprenticeship.

My salary is really good for an apprentice. I am currently on about £6 hour which is decent for a second year apprentice of my age. We have been told that as we progress through the apprenticeship and pass our HNC and HND course at college as well as keep on top of our NVQ work then we get wage rises every year around September time, before we hopefully get a full-time job.

I am currently working with other apprentices on an innovation challenge which means we compete as a team against other apprentice teams at different BAE System sites to create a new product to help someone who may be disabled or have mobility problems for example. We are also offered guidance and asked for help from various supervisors with school visits to the site too.

Yes

BAE Systems is a really good company to work for, I couldn’t recommend it more. I think that their core values are really important and they will support you 100% when progressing through the company. The college work we get is useful to the apprenticeship too and it’s really beneficial to young people such as myself to get a start in working and getting a salary to also continuing my learning and having this paid for by the company too.

The interview process for BAE Systems is quite lengthy and there is an online application as well as having to do a mathematical online test. The test has various questions, some more difficult than others. Take time when completing the application and if you are lucky enough to get to the interview stage, get to the site early and present yourself in an impressive way and look up about the company more before you come.