EN-Apprentice Engineer Years 2 & 3-Engineering Review

My day ranges from conducting admin based jobs within the office that assists the team with their job, In addition to this I will work on different engineering systems carrying out a various range of engineering and maintenance based tasks that could range from simply checking continuity to working on more advanced systems.

From my time here, I have both gained new skills to involve having confidence to work on electrical systems and how to do so safely. In addition to this, I have built on pre learned skills such as working with mechanical based systems to be much more proficient in my job role.

Overall, the programme is quite enjoyable as it allows you to gain experience and on different electrical and mechanical systems. This programme also offers the chance to gain a level 4 qualification which when trying to balance attaining this qualification with working full time, it can prove to be quite stressful however overall it still proves to be enjoyable.

Overall the programme is quite well structured. You work full time each week and then are on day release to college on a pre specified day each week. This allows you to gain the theoretical knowledge while on day release in college and apply what you have learned when you are working throughout the week.

You receive as much support as you ask for. A meeting is held every 12 weeks to review your progress within the programme and allows for the opportunity to express the need for assistance if it is required. In addition to this, different placements within the business will allow you additional time to work on college work while you are in work.

There is a great level of support from the training provider, We are taught the information needed for each of the assignments set by the provider and additional information that will assist us in completing these assignments is made available to us via the college intranet. The lecturers will always answer any questions asked and assist in any way they can.

The knowledge learned from the qualification teaches you to break down problems to a level in which they can be analysed. The information learned can sometimes be circumstantial in its applications due to it being a general electrical HNC however it has proved useful throughout my job role. Overall it helps me better understand different sections of a range of systems and understand their roles within the system.

There are different activities that present themselves at work, these range from social events that are organised by the apprentices group as a whole or the team that you are currently on placement with. In addition to this there is also the opportunity to attend STEM events on behalf of the company and assist in recruitment events.

Yes

I would offer it because it provides the chance to gain real life experience in an various range of engineering fields while also granting the opportunity to gain a qualification that will further expand the knowledge you have gained from being on the job and completing various different tasks within the job role.

Make sure that you come prepared to the interview stages of the application process as the questions asked can prove to be difficult if you are unprepared. In addition to this I would say don't be afraid to apply if you live in an area that does not have a BAE site close to home, it will be a big adjustment if you have to move however the experience gained from this apprenticeship is worth it.