Mechanical Designer Review
at BAE Systems
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: April 2022
Overall Rating
4.6 /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!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
4.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Mechanical designer on the 'liaison draughtsman' design team. The role features a lot of 'firefighting' problems on a day-to-day basis. We liaise between the drawing office and operations (build) and determine whether any issues from build need to be taken to the drawing office or can be resolved by us.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I very much enjoy/have enjoyed this apprenticeship program.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
90% of my acquired engineering knowledge i have gained whilst doing this apprenticeship.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is well structured completing a national diploma in the first year, and a HNC in years 2 and 3 (academic side) and being on site from years 2 onward (practical side) covering a wide variety of placements.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
We have a dedicated early careers support team who we can approach directly for well being questions and we have placement managers who we can contact about issues regarding placements/current work
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The support for qualifications comes directly from Furness College and all the lecturers at both ND and HNC level i found to be very helpful.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I think there's many aspects of the qualifications that are applicable to my 'on the job' role, particularly HNC's 'engineering drawing & design', 'Computer aided design', and ND's 'engineering drawings', and 'engineering materials'. These subjects featured topics such as drawing conventions, GD&T, and CAD application.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are social activities you can organise within your apprenticeship cohort however a little more formally, there's also the opportunity to become a STEM ambassador and become involved with STEM activities in the local area.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Absolutely. I think the apprenticeship programmes they offer and the type of engineering work they endeavour in, make it both an interesting and unique place to work.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
I'd say ensure you have researched a general overview about the company and submarines with their application in the Royal Navy. The better prepared you are, the easier you'll find the application process, assessment days, and interview.
