Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

Currently I am moving placements every 5 months so roles vary depending on the type of placement you are in, currently im in a support placement supporting the Typhoon fleet for the RAF, KSA, and Oman air forces. I look at in flight data and unscheduled item removals to look for patterns and concerns to optimise reliability and maintenance procedures.

I have developed a lot of skills both socially and technically, I have gained a lot of personal, organisational and time keeping skills, meeting deadlines and organising meetings. I have also experienced working on a lot of company systems and programmes such as excel and expanding my knowledge of the aircraft

I enjoy all aspect off my programme, being able to move roles every 5 months to experience something new Is a good aspect of the programme and gives us a good taste of what aspect of the organisation we enjoy. The academic studies at Blackpool college are of good standard and an enjoyable part of the programme

As I joined the scheme as part of the 3rd ever cohort, the early careers team were still learning and optimising the scheme, it was well organised but certain details were not 100% clear from the off, however every year it is getting better and better, and now I feel at a stage that I know exactly what im doing and what is expected of me from both placement managers and the early careers team

There is plenty of support available through our employer and the early careers team. we have reviews with the early careers team every 12 weeks to go through aspects of my apprenticeship, my progress, whether I am enjoying it, feeling safe, coping with the workload from college etc. If any of these are potentially an issue adequate support is always provided.

reviews are held every 12 weeks with early careers, and member of staff from college to make sure all our academic and training requirements have been met. we also have reviews with our Diploma assessor to help sign of diploma requirements and can provide support if we are behind or struggling with the workload

The training and theory provided through our training provider Is well suited to helping us perform better in our roles, they help us understand the fundamentals or aircraft design, aerodynamics, the use of engineering systems such as CAD and CFD, along with Excel skills and Matlab. this all provides a good base knowledge going into new roles

there are plenty of extra curricular activities to get involved in, I have been involved in multiple inter department football matches, and charity football tournaments. there is a lot of opportunity for STEM activities to go into local Schools and talk about your apprenticeships. Also hosting open evenings for students to come and enquire about an apprenticeship at BAE Systems.

Yes

Its a well ran apprenticeship with the benefits of getting a degree without the debt, getting a good salary while learning on the job. It gives you much more experience of a engineering environment than University. The job roles are enjoyable and interesting and all placement managers are fully invested in having apprentices in their teams for the right reasons.

For other applying to BAE Systems I would advise that you get involved in different engineering experiences and activities, if there's any open days, tours or engineering events held by BAE or other engineering companies, attend them, gain understanding of what they do and how they do it, it all shows interest in the profession and the company.