Pipe fitter apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: May 2024
Overall Rating
3.4 /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
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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
Most days in placement learning about the job, what it is, the process in how things work, values and independence working on the job. In college, we are set almost every lesson. In one of my lessons, we don’t really learn much, we tend just to get told to go on HSE and do our own research on health and safety for our test. Overall, the college is alright but needs a lot of work to make it better. I prefer placement rather than college if I’m honest.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I enjoy some aspects of it but it gets boring from time to time. I tend to only enjoy the practical side of things. I feel like a lot of the college work I don’t really need to know but I guess it’s just handy knowledge for the future. I don’t understand why we need to do maths and science due to the fact we only use the basics when it comes to pipe work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Most of my skills have came from placement for knowledge on pipework and what I’m meant to do. In SASK I learnt the basics of the job and overtime just developed them. In college I haven’t really learnt much skills apart from in workshop. For me I struggled with communication but overtime I have gotten more comfortable and better with it.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Not very well if I’m honest. Most of our lessons have been very disorganised due to lack of good tutors who can teach and the program in itself is very misleading. The layout of lessons is terrible. I’m coming in at 8:30 have lessons up until lunch, then have 45 minute break. I then have a lesson until 3 then a 2 hour break which drags. Then have a lesson in the workshop. It’s a long day for no reason when I could be in placement learning other things about the job.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
The employer is pretty good when it comes to providing things like support, awareness and other things like that. I would say the toolbox disruption needs to be sorted before placement as it slows my process of learning. It’s been a year on placement and still don’t have my own tools to learn/do jobs asked of me. Other than that, it’s a good employer for an apprenticeship. Too many courses that are very repetitive is also a nightmare
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Good at sask but very poor at college
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
It’s not too bad but I feel like when I want to evolve my career around the country with another BAE, I won’t get the chances due to the knowledge I get given and the lack of opportunity on visiting other sites to see what areas interest me. Other than that, for submarines training, it’s very good!
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
Yes there’s a lot of opportunities that are offered to us. I just wished I could go to other sites to learn and maybe other country’s to develop my skills to become better at my job. Also gets me a better understanding of the business. Most opportunities offered are local ones to promote the business and that’s it
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Yes and no. Yes because it’s a very good job and can be very interesting, but it’s a very long process when it doesn’t need to be. No due to the vast college isn’t very helpful and just seems a waste of a day
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Do a lot of your own research when it comes to learning to get better knowledge of your job. Have a deep think about what you really want to do and don’t just rush into any job the comes up. Work hard and smart to make it easier
