Aircraft Engineer Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Engineering
Scunthorpe
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
2.4 /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
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
2/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
2/5
Aircraft Operator carrying out both mechanical and Avionic tasks.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
The last 4 months were the most enjoyable, the entire time before was a struggle.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Yes, I have learnt many new skills whilst maintaining aircraft
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
Whilst working at RAF Valley there was absolutely no structure, nobody knew who I was, there was no BAE Management to help me and I was stuck on a horrendous night shift and forgotten. This was the reason I moved to RAF Coningsby
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
Barely any, as mentioned previous there was no one to speak to regarding my issues and support, it has taken until the last month of my apprenticeship to have my NVQ work marked and assessed. There were multiple times where my cries for help were ignored.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
Don't have any contact with City and Guilds, the Quality Assessment is done in the company after receiving approval.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The qualification is a great qual' to have in this industry, however I carry out the exact same tasks as someone with a lower qualification.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There are some STEM events that take place out of work, but I never got involved and they wasn't promoted very often
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
With the new structure (Lv3) I would recommend the apprenticeship, but with the apprenticeship that I had to carry out I would definitely not recommend, it was not worth the 2 years of misery at the Maintenance Academy to now carry out the same job as someone lower qualified.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Be prepared to be let down my people who look after you, false promises and stress, but enjoy the apprenticeship once you leave the Maintenance Academy.
