Trainee Contracts Officer Review

Trainee Contracts Officer, building up estimates for the customer, negotiating prices and terms and conditions. Liaising with both internal and external customers on a daily basis. Given a lot of responsibility.

Contractual and estimating skills been on an Introduction to Estimating Course, gained an ECDL certificate, currently completing an NVQ Level 3 in Business and Admin as well as Customer Service which goes along with a Technical certificate. I am also completing a BTEC in Project Management.

I really enjoy this apprenticeship, we have great support not only by our assessors and people at the training centre but by the business as a whole. It has exceeded my expectations.

I feel valued by BAE Systems. I gain constant positive feedback from my line manager which makes you feel appreciated. I also have had the opportunity to present to management about how i am finding the apprenticeship and I suggested how it could be improved. This showed that they value our opinion and will always try their best to accomodate any issues you have.

The programme is very well organised and structured. There was a two week induction into the business before we started our placements so we was aware of company policies and got an insight into what it is the company does. We have undertaken any training required to complete our job. The NVQ's and other qualifications we have undertaken has been delivered to a very high standard and the instructors have always ensured that we fully understood the curricular and were always keen to help if we needed it. I have been put in placements where I always have a steady yet challenging amount of work which helps with progression.

My assessor is very helpful, I see her on a weekly basis for our Technical Certificate classes where we can discuss any issues we have, we also have 12 weekly reviews where she sits down with myself and my line manager to check on my progress. Overall, the support we get is brilliant and if my assessor is off there is always somebody else I can go to and get a response more or less straight away.

I get a lot of support from my function Manager, we have regular meetings to see how I'm finding the apprenticeship and my placements and she likes to find out where I would like to be in the future so she can accomodate my needs. Overall, I get the impression that she wants the best for us and is always happy to help.

As an apprentice, the salary we are on is a lot better than most apprenticeship schemes. However, it does not meet my living costs as I have a house and a child to pay for.

Yes, there are always opportunities outside of work to promote apprenticeships, I have recently met the Shadow Minister of Defence, helped with Bring your Sons and Daughters to Work day, there are other things you can get involved with such as : -Princes Trust - School Embassador - National Apprentice Council - Union Reps - Outward Bound (compulsory for all apprentices) There is also a great social aspect of being an apprentice for example, nights out, trips out to Alton Towers.

Yes

Great opportunity, prospects and career.

Be confident in the inerview process, take on board everything that is advised to you and be positive to taking on new tasks.