Technician apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Preston
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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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 am an apprentice so I join teams and learn the way they work and adopt their advice and methodology through shadowing their practices and learning from their lessons. I get a variety of different environment opportunities which allows me to see all the business. I also get to see different disciplines and try them before committing to a job role.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy the apprenticeship I am on. I think the part which allows me to enjoy it most is the thought that if what I'm doing now I don't particularly enjoy then in 4 months I will be rotating and trying a new placement which could be completely new and different and exciting.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes, my communication has massively improved. I am currently in my second of 6 placements. My first placement I was shy and hesitant to approach others. However now, I feel comfortable going to ask for help from wider team members and make friends with people within my team easily and comfortably.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I feel like the people who run the placements are sometimes left in the dark a little. They are provided no structure on how to care for an apprentice and what it entails which can be daunting. College within BAE can also sometimes feel a little disjoined and difficult with general organisation, however the course material is very organised.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Currently, I receive a medium amount of support. I don't feel I really need too much support, so I am happy. However, I am confident if I needed support the company would provide it and I am comfortable and confident in who I would go to to get support.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
College provides a lot of support in lesson and out of lesson. In lesson you feel comfortable and confident to ask for support and you will be helped and you can also message your tutors out of lesson hours and they will respond and reply meaningfully and quickly when it is possible.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I feel my qualification is too disjoined from my job role. Currently, it feels like what we are learning is not related or ever going to be related and feels like high school maths where you are learning maths for the sake of it and not to better your job which I feel this should be.
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
Not really. There is nothing really inputted by the company other than outward bounds which is a week away trip at the start of your apprenticeship. I think a social club would be very beneficial especially for networking and communicating to others regarding placements and feedback. There are sometimes networking events however these are in a very formal context.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Great resources and great sites. Everyone is very friendly and willing to help. The bonus of earning money from a younger age is great, being paid to learn and enjoy your job helps. The ability to have flexible start and finish times is a great BAE experience and overall a great company.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
If someone wanted tips or advice I would tell them to start on the company website. ensure they know what the company plans to do and what they have done in the past. Learn what qualities are important to BAE from an employee and prove how you have demonstrated them in your application.
