Software Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Yeovil
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
2.8 /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!
2.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
2.4/5
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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
Generally involves working in all stages of the software life cycle. Work is integrated with existing projects and teams, so communication skills are important in order to learn quickly from the more experienced software engineers around. Sometimes university work and Level 4 diploma work will be involved whilst those qualifications are still ongoing.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
1/5
My enjoyment of the programme has picked up in recent months, having moved on to a newer project. On previous projects it felt like there was not much scope for advancement or engineering new features, since they were so well established. The majority of the work was bug fixes, which had prescribed fixes detailed in tickets.
The course in general has been very stressful, the workload (full time work, full time degree study and Level 4 Diploma qualification) and expectations of performance (pay reviews based on performance, highest pay points based on a first class degree) put on a lot of pressure, affecting work life balance and mental health.
The course in general has been very stressful, the workload (full time work, full time degree study and Level 4 Diploma qualification) and expectations of performance (pay reviews based on performance, highest pay points based on a first class degree) put on a lot of pressure, affecting work life balance and mental health.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I've developed skills on top of prior knowledge that I had through completing STEM subjects and Computer Science at GCSE and A Level standard. Through the degree course I have been exposed to more programming languages, practices and methodologies, but the most I have learnt has been through working with engineers that are more knowledgeable than me and that share their understanding.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
Not very. The Yeovil site (and others) have experienced a lack of staffing from a Skills Coach/diploma assessor aspect for the duration of my course. Furthermore, Yeovil has not had a person appointed for wellbeing for apprentices in some time, although the current Skills Coach is safeguarding trained this raises confidentiality issues since he is also the diploma assessor. Course delivery was not well organised, our completion and graduation getting pushed back by months due to miscommunications. Missed an entire module of learning in the first year of the degree course.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
BAE Systems has plenty of support systems in place. The Employee Service Centre, "mental health first aiders", flexibility from projects for time working on qualifications, access to health applications, access to multiple benefits through the rewards scheme including private healthcare and health insurance. The support from the business, in my experience, has been pretty strong.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
The university support was sometimes lacking. The course delivery was generally speaking good, other than one module where the lecturer had no interest in diversifying his own knowledge to teach his unit in the language that was expected rather than the language that he already knew. Contacting outside of delivery, responses ranged from quick and very helpful to never replying or with little to no useful information. The "mitigating circumstances" support was effective.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
It helped somewhat. It was useful to build a foundation knowledge in some languages and methodologies. However, outside of that, learning on the job was a far more effective way to become more proficient in the day to day role. The university learning had little application in real world situations that aren't curated like assignments are.
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. There is a games club that runs at lunch times, a group that play football at the nearby sports ground, a British Sign Language group that learn every week. For the apprenticeship there are "Stretch" assignments that are optional but can provide extra value to the apprenticeship experience.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Yes, but not really for the apprenticeship scheme in its current form. The company is good with lots of opportunities in lots of different areas of engineering and manufacturing. But with how the apprenticeship is currently run and supported by the EDAS management I would not recommend it to a friend.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Apply if you are interested in engineering of any kind. During the application process for the apprenticeship try not to worry if you don't feel like you are the most knowledgeable person in the room. They are looking more for potential, ability to learn and work ethic over knowledge.
