Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

by BAE Systems

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Support Engineering, supporting the Tornado aircraft with q query answering team. Responsibilities include data management, query answering and query approvals.

7/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Learnt how to use various pieces of software including TrilogiView, EDSRS and IEDB. Completed many new training course, mainly health and safety.

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy working in a real engineering environment with world leading experts. Feeling like I have a purpose within the team is a good motivator. Team is vey helpful and friendly, I am well integrated at this present moment and I am always being trusted with more responsibilities.

7/10

4. How valued do you feel by BAE Systems?

Very valued, most of the way through the apprenticeship we have been told by experienced people that we are highly valued because we are the future of the company.

8/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Fairly well organised, it is difficult to get in touch with the course leader via email. Especially when I am on a different site to that person so I cannot visit in person. There has not been a clear structure to the apprenticeship going forward, seems like all other apprentices know where they are going in the future whereas we are unsure.

6/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

I receive a large amount of support from the placement members. I also receive a lot of support from the college that the degree is run through. This is regarding both the degree and the NVQ level 4.

8/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Placement members give a lot of support, they always try and help where and when they can. Early careers offer their support so I feel like I could approach them if I had any issues with the program.

8/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

It is sufficient, however, the cost of moving for work, getting a car and travelling to and from work everyday is high. Also, the location of the site is not very good so travelling home every weekend is expensive. On top of this there has been no clear understanding of rises in pay for our scheme. All the other apprentices seem to be moving towards a higher pay grade much earlier than us and yet more is expected of us.

6/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

There are local social events, sports facilities that are available to use, however the location, Preston, is not a great place to live. We have been told that there are many different stretch assignments we can do within the company however there does not seem to be many that are made available to us.

6/10

9. Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

Great company to work for as the opportunities for work seem to be excellent. Everyone seems to be very comfortable as the pay is generally good from what I can gather.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?

Have an interest in what you are applying for, don't just do it because you parents said to. If lucky enough to get an interview, relax and be yourself, if you are interested in what you are applying for, it will show. Try and do as much as you can outside of academia, this broadens you knowledge and shows that you get stuck in to things more than just what is expected of you.