Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Manufacturing
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: May 2024
Overall Rating
4.1 /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
3.8/5
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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
As part of our apprenticeship scheme we do six 6 month placement rotations before moving into a soft exit role for 2 years. This allows us to gain knowledge from and around a variety of different departments within our home function.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I've really enjoyed having the opportunity to move around a variety of departments. This has allowed me to build a network and learn a wealth of knowledge from highly experienced people. There are just some issues with organisation but this is being improved.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have gained a wealth of new skills, i.e. I have massively improved my microsoft excel skills as well as skills regarding laser scanning and digital modelling. I have also gained knowledge on 3D printing as well as general product knowledge.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
From an apprenticeship perspective it is very well managed/organized. However, regarding the placements rotations there is less organisations surrounding this, ensuring apprentices get to experience a range of different departments. Though this has been an issue things are being put in place to improve this however.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I can't fault the support which is given to apprentices by my employer. They welcome any concerns we may have and I always checking we are ok and that we don't need any support. In instances where support had been required , this has been excellent and any issues have been solved in a timely manner.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
From our training provider they provide an adequate amount of support as and when required.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
As I am doing a Mechanical Engineering Degree as part of my Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprenticeship there is some overlap but not a great deal. Some of the soft skills and time management skills I require to balance my degree/apprenticeship have been beneficial in the workplace however.
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 a massive range of extra curricular activities to get involved with. From a wide range of STEM/CR Stretch activities to apprentice councils. There have been some sporting/apprentice social events but it would be good to get some sports teams to get involved with as this would be useful for apprentices to meet other apprentices (especially those new to the area).
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Overall apprentices are very supported as part of the BAE apprenticeship scheme. The ability to do a variety of different placements is highly beneficial for both networking and building knowledge/skills of different departments. There are also an abundance of exciting projects to get involved with.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
NA
