Software Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Information Technology
London
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
3.3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
2.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
2.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
I work within a team delivering software solutions to customers according to their requirements. I have been in a few different teams so far where I have worked on different technology stacks from back end development to front end development. I really like the variety of work that I have done so far, and look forward to continuing to try new and different things. Having said that, I have noticed that it is possible to get stuck in a role that doesn't suit you for a while, so I hope I am able to find that balance.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I enjoy my work, but the apprenticeship programme itself has been a little frustrating at times. I have found it difficult to strike the balance between focusing on work and finding time to complete apprenticeship related duties. I feel like not much is known about the apprenticeship by other people in my company so it makes it difficult for them to realise that I also have other responsibilities away from work.
Having said that, there have been aspects of my apprenticeship that I have enjoyed, such as the bootcamp at the beginning.
Having said that, there have been aspects of my apprenticeship that I have enjoyed, such as the bootcamp at the beginning.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes I have learned many new skills. The biggest one that comes to mind is learning how to deal with customers while working on a big project. Requirements can sometimes change, and that can be frustrating, but its important to interact with the customers in a constructive way to ensure a good working relationship.
I have also developed my software engineering skills by working on new technologies quite often.
I have also developed my software engineering skills by working on new technologies quite often.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
I feel that my programme is not well organised at all. There have been multiple miscommunications from the training provider to my employer which has caused some issues. Also communication from my employers who are in charge of the apprenticeship programme to my team that I work with on a daily basis has been poor. I understand that the pandemic has made things more difficult in terms of organisation, but it has still been poor.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
I didn't receive any support from my employer for a long time. There was a period where my immediate line manager and my team did not even know I was on an apprenticeship programme as this was not communicated to them sufficiently from higher up.
However, when I came into some difficulties with the apprenticeship, and that became clear to my employer, they did offer a lot of support which helped massively.
However, when I came into some difficulties with the apprenticeship, and that became clear to my employer, they did offer a lot of support which helped massively.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
My training provider has offered adequate support. I wouldn't expect much more from them in terms of support, its just their lack of organisation that has let them down.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The training I received in the bootcamp was amazing. It has helped tremendously with what I do in my day to day role, however the training since then (online courses for exams, writing a portfolio of my work etc) has been of no relevance to my day job. Before I started working, my apprenticeship was great, since I started working it has been a nuisance.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are a few, but the pandemic has made this a lot more difficult. My colleagues have explained all of the social activities they used to do before the pandemic, so hopefully it gets back to that soon.
For me there have been a few socially distanced activities organised such as video calls and games and quizzes so that has been nice in lieu of actually meeting up.
For me there have been a few socially distanced activities organised such as video calls and games and quizzes so that has been nice in lieu of actually meeting up.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I feel it is definitely a good company for a software developer early in their career. I have learned a lot working here, and they have been able to give me an excellent balance of responsibility and freedom to make mistakes which is invaluable as a junior software engineer. Although I am not happy with the apprenticeship as a whole, I would still recommend the company. It is full of good people who are a pleasure to work with and I look forward to going back to the office someday so I can meet them all in person.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Don't do the apprenticeship.
