Commercial Undergraduate Review

I am a commercial Undergraduate Apprentice at Airbus Broughton plant that manufactures wings for all Commercial aircraft. As a business apprentice i move around the different support functions that support production at the plant. These include procurement, Capex, program planning and Facilities Management. On a day to day basis i am involved in supporting these departments whether this be through running reports, creating new IT files and also taking on the full time role of an employee in that department in order to learn and develop.

I have developed greatly since joining Airbus. This is in areas including communication skills, managing skills, negotiation skills, and also in areas such as how to work in a team. I am also doing a degree which is developing me to become a leader of the future within the business and also have the human skills to be able to manage others.

I enjoy the program a lot as it has given me the opportunity to be trained both academically and also learn practically in the work place. I also find Airbus as a very warming and inclusive workplace including societies for apprentices which have socials which allows for networking and creating relationships within the company.

My program is well structured with all of my placements planned from the start of my apprenticeship up until the end of the 3rd year. The university could be better structured as i currently attend a uni that i go to only 2 days every assignment and then have little support from the university.

My employer gives me lots of support in my development needs, this includes support from my early careers manager who is interested at my development as a whole. I also receive support from all of my placement assigned managers as well as other colleagues, fellow apprentices and also my college and university provider.

My college training provider provides lots of support with ILM assignments and also NVQ with on site work visits. The support from the university i receive is not as good as i would like. It involves 1 two day workshop per assignment and only minor support from then on. But we are moving university and the support from the new provider is much better.

My qualifications help enormously with helping my performance in the workplace. My university course as well as my ILM and NVQ courses have taught me the principles of management and working with others. I have then transferred and developed these skills into the workplace and have seen myself develop throughout my apprenticeship.

There is a Gen A society for all early careers including apprentices. This society organises socials as well as event such as 3 peaks challenge and go karting. They also organise clubs such as language club that encourages apprentices o learn new languages from fellow apprentices. They also help fellow apprentices with networking throughout the company.

Yes

The opportunities are huge including working for a leading company in the Aerospace industry and also the opportunity to earn while you learn and give you a head start in your career. Also there are opportunities to work abroad with the company as Airbus has plants across the whole world.

Research the company and why you would like to work for Airbus. Ensure you prepare for questions based on times when you have doen something i.e. when have you led a team. Also in group tasks ensure you contribute but also ask others for there ideas and opinions as well.