Supply chain and procurement apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Procurement
Preston
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.3 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
3.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
In performance procurement on the Eurofighter Typhoon, I buy spare parts and manage repair orders for a variety of customers. This role involves working closely with the supplier, and carefully managing an order book so that I can ensure orders are meeting contract dates, are updated with relevant information, and are paid on time.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have not felt so stretched and challenged in a long time, and it feels amazing to dig into something completely new to me.
Having come out of A-levels, a degree apprenticeship in Procurement was nothing like I'd ever learnt before. However, Aston university has been amazingly supportive when I am struggling academically, and my line manager in my placement has spent many, many hours teaching me how to take on the role in procurement.
Being in such a supportive environment, trying something new with such a friendly team, means that it's difficult not to love my programme.
Having come out of A-levels, a degree apprenticeship in Procurement was nothing like I'd ever learnt before. However, Aston university has been amazingly supportive when I am struggling academically, and my line manager in my placement has spent many, many hours teaching me how to take on the role in procurement.
Being in such a supportive environment, trying something new with such a friendly team, means that it's difficult not to love my programme.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
This role requires many vital skills:-
Conflict management: you must always maintain a co-operative, respectful relationship with the supplier, and any other colleagues, even in stressful times.
Problem solving: unique situations emerge every day, therefore you must be able to utilise all available resources in order to effectively manage any situation.
Organisation & time management: attending meetings, updating orders, answering emails, doing university assignments, preparing data for monthly reviews, etc, all take up a significant amount of time. I have developed my organisational skills so that I can complete all tasks efficiently, and still to the expected high standard.
Communication: this role is centred around communication. The customer frequently requires updates on the progress of their order, which means learning how to encourage the supplier to provide regular updates-- often harder that it sounds! Furthermore, it's crucial to communicate with your team, and more experienced colleagues, as they are key to learning the role and providing guidance in new situations.
Conflict management: you must always maintain a co-operative, respectful relationship with the supplier, and any other colleagues, even in stressful times.
Problem solving: unique situations emerge every day, therefore you must be able to utilise all available resources in order to effectively manage any situation.
Organisation & time management: attending meetings, updating orders, answering emails, doing university assignments, preparing data for monthly reviews, etc, all take up a significant amount of time. I have developed my organisational skills so that I can complete all tasks efficiently, and still to the expected high standard.
Communication: this role is centred around communication. The customer frequently requires updates on the progress of their order, which means learning how to encourage the supplier to provide regular updates-- often harder that it sounds! Furthermore, it's crucial to communicate with your team, and more experienced colleagues, as they are key to learning the role and providing guidance in new situations.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
This is the first year this programme has been run. Unfortunately, this means there are many wrinkles still yet to be ironed out. However, I am confident that the next few cohorts will not experience the disorganisation the same as we have.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My line manager has been a fantastic support throughout this placement. Whilst not all apprentices see as much support, I have had a fantastic experience.
Early Careers have also always done their best to accommodate any apprentices who are not enjoying their role/who feel they are not learning as much as they should be.
Other apprenticeships often have monthly check-ins with Early Careers, however as this is a new scheme, these are not in place yet.
Early Careers have also always done their best to accommodate any apprentices who are not enjoying their role/who feel they are not learning as much as they should be.
Other apprenticeships often have monthly check-ins with Early Careers, however as this is a new scheme, these are not in place yet.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Aston university has been incredibly accommodating to any additional needs I have. The university also has quarterly reviews where they listen to any concerns we may have, and explain any upcoming changes in the course.
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 only in year 1, which emphasises on the Supply Chain side of the course rather than the Procurement side, not much. However, I anticipate that next year, I will be able to answer this question much more favourably.
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
To my knowledge, there are no such activities. However, occasionally apprentices are offered the opportunity to attend networking events such as the 'World Quality Day' conference which I attended.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Having gone from A-Levels to a full-time job, I cannot say I expected to transition so smoothly. My manager is incredibly supportive and dedicated, putting in hours each week to sit and teach me the role. My colleagues are kind and helpful, and really ensure I feel a part of the team. The Early Careers team are always trying their best to answer any questions we might have, and are working hard to smooth out our course so that next year, it will be far more organised.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Really consider why you are applying for that role in particular: for me, it was doing my school work in the same room my Dad worked in during Covid, and being absolutely fascinated by the Procurement nightmares he was dealing with!
Learn about the company you are applying for: what is it about BAE Systems that made you want to apply for it? For me, I knew it was a big local employer who had an amazing reputation for being bold, innovative and trusted.
Learn about the company you are applying for: what is it about BAE Systems that made you want to apply for it? For me, I knew it was a big local employer who had an amazing reputation for being bold, innovative and trusted.
