Business Apprentice (Procurement Engineer) Review

I am part of the BAE Systems Business apprenticeship scheme, specialising in Procurement. I am currently in my final role, put past roles have seen me enjoy a number of responsibilities. My most enjoyable role, and the role in which i will complete my apprenticeship is within supplier management. Within this placement I have daily interactions with suppliers, travel to other countries to meet them, get involved in development programmes and engage with senior members. I am responsible for six suppliers, ensuring orders are placed, equipment gets to the buildline and ensuring they are paid within terms - along with other actitivities.

The BAE Systems apprentice scheme encourages learning and development. Not only have i attended numerous courses and college, my social skills have deleloped too. I can hold a conversation with a supplier, getting my point across confidently. I have become more organised and conscientious with the work that i do. My favourite courses so far have involved working on the aircraft Hawk and Typhoon, to get familiar with them and learning about the equipment I buy and where it is located on the aircraft.

I enjoy coming to work, I also enjoyed attending college once a week. Throughout the 21 month programme I have been exposed to a variety of situations and have faced challenges. The variety of line managers that I have had have taught me different learning styles that I have had to adapt to- ultimately I can move around the business and work under different people adjusting the way that I work. The culture of the company is focused around achieving the objectives that the board set yearly- and my objectives set by my managers have directly linked one way or another into them, making me feel like I am making a difference and the work I am doing is important. I have never felt like an apprentice, but have felt like a member of staff. I did not know what to expect intially when I joined the company and the opportunities that were available to me. However I have been trusted with my own packages of work and given help when I have needed it which far outweighs expectations that I did have.

BAE Systems values it apprentices- most of the senior members on the board started as apprentices. All line managers that I have worked under have made sure that they have given me a good package of work and enough time to complete my NVQ. They have all been interested in the areas I have worked in, and praised me when I have done something well. I have had active participation in projects that have been ongoing, and some of my previous managers have contacted me to keep me up to date with the progress. I definetely feel as though I have been a valued member of the teams I have worked for.

The Business apprenticeship is structured to contain. - A two week induction -Three 4 month placements - A week away at an Outward Bound course - One month in a different function (ie finance). -Six months within final role before time completion

All apprentices on the Business scheme will report to a certain assesor who will be a point of contact at the apprentice training facility- there is also an internal point of contact for the scheme that we can report to.

BAE Systems gives mass amounts of support to its apprentices- all team members have been willing to help me learn how to use systems as well as placing me on training courses to futher learn skills and put them into practice

The BAE Systems salary is above national UK Minimum wage and then some. I believe that the wage is very fair with regular pay increases, back pay, bonuses and a large completion salary with a guarenteed job at the end. What is more is that when we time complete for a further 12 months we get pay increases every quarter.

I have been invited to a number of corporate awards evening, team nights out and there are lots of sports clubs also.

Yes

It is a fantastic well structured scheme

Attend an open evening to collect leaflets, listen to the advice the apprentices give. Write as much as you can about yourself and your qualities on your application - and express this in the interview. Do not recieve any help during the online testing.