Software Engineer Degree Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
New Malden
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
3.8 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3/5
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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:
4/5
My current role revolves around developing software from initial requirements through development, testing and creating documentation. I also take part in a variety of integration roles; installing, maintaining and troubleshooting issues on server systems.
On a previous rotation, I've also worked as a web developer creating internal tools. This was slightly less formal but required close work with the customer.
On a previous rotation, I've also worked as a web developer creating internal tools. This was slightly less formal but required close work with the customer.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
From the company side, I have really been enjoying the program for the most part, though it depends on the kinds of placement which you get, the placement managers and how much you want to get out of things as an individual. When I did have an experience in a placement I wasn't happy with, everyone involved was happy for me to move and find something else.
The education side has been more of a mixed bag, impacted by the fact that my cohort is the first Cranfield have run.
The education side has been more of a mixed bag, impacted by the fact that my cohort is the first Cranfield have run.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Through the scheme so far I've gained or developed skills in three primary areas:
My Technical skills working as a software engineer gave grown vastly as I've had experience writing software in a professional environment in a variety of languages. I've also gained a ton of knowledge about servers and virtualisation alongside Unix systems and scripting.
I've also grown a lot with my professional behaviour and social skills having comfortably fitted in to a variety of teams.
My Technical skills working as a software engineer gave grown vastly as I've had experience writing software in a professional environment in a variety of languages. I've also gained a ton of knowledge about servers and virtualisation alongside Unix systems and scripting.
I've also grown a lot with my professional behaviour and social skills having comfortably fitted in to a variety of teams.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Initially, the program was very well structured and run with all aspects of the course planned well and articulated to us fully. Unfortunately, the individual in charge of this left the company on short notice so there has been a transition period where the structure is lacking and several apprentices, especially those in their 2nd or 3rd years, have lacked guidance.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
There has been strong support from the employer for the entire scheme, we have clear points of contact to help with any issue we may have and everybody I have interacted with has been friendly and helpful, making an effort to bring apprentices up. Apprentices have also received pay increases and incentives in line with all other employees.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
The novel teaching method being employed by the university has lead to some scepticism and the amount of actual time spent teaching by the staff during study days feels very minimal, we also notice that we are very much the beta testers for the course with things rapidly changing as we go based on feedback.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
As of this point, approaching half way through the course, it feels like a very minimal amount of what has been covered at university has been relevant to my day to day work. Some has been completely irrelevant focused on project management type roles or just being general overviews on things like business intelligence. Other parts have been on topics which are theoretically practical but cover the work at such a trivial level that any level of knowledge from the workspace vastly exceeds it.
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
At my site, the extra curricular activities are somewhat limited, there is a social club for occasional theatre trips and such, lunchtime sporting events, such as football, on some weekdays and a recently started board game group. There are also regular socials at a local pub a couple of times a month.
Other, larger, sites have a larger array of activities and groups including various apprentice run events.
Other, larger, sites have a larger array of activities and groups including various apprentice run events.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
If someone wants to get professional experience in engineering (software or otherwise) working for a well recognised world grade company whilst also getting a degree qualification out of it then BAE is a very compelling offer. Compared to just studying in university for 3-4 years, having that practical experience will put you so far ahead of peers when looking for a job.
It's also a reasonable route for retraining from another field as, once again, that practical experience is invaluable.
It's also a reasonable route for retraining from another field as, once again, that practical experience is invaluable.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
The main pieces of advice would be to not hold back and always ask questions, this starts even at the interview stage and carries on through the entire experience, remember that you're there to learn and everyone around you is happy to push that.
I'd also advise those considering it but think they're either too old (25+) or overqualified (have a Degree in something else) to give it a go if they want a shift in career, there's nothing to lose by applying.
I'd also advise those considering it but think they're either too old (25+) or overqualified (have a Degree in something else) to give it a go if they want a shift in career, there's nothing to lose by applying.
