Aerospace Degree Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Preston
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.6 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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:
5/5
The day to day tasks vary while an apprentice, during my first 6 moths I completed various induction and training exercises. When this was complete we are on consecutive 6th month placements for the remainder of the apprenticeship (last 2 years is an "exit role" placement, which is the same placement but for 2 years instead of 6 months) The daily tasks during these placements vary depending on the type of placement, for example now I am primarily dealing with changes on aircraft and creating documentation to get the change approved. I have also had opportunities within this placement to travel internationally with the team.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
In my opinion there are few that compare to the aerospace degree apprenticeship, the placements are a great way of gaining a real understanding of the business and helps decide what you may like to do when you have finished your apprenticeship and become employees of the business. The support you get from early careers is great, they are always there to talk, answer any questions and help with issues. The uni work isn't the easiest, people coming from a vocational college course like me may need to put a bit more work in than people who did A Level Maths and Science but it is manageable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Coming straight from college I have certainly developed a lot of new skills - especially during the first 6 months as you are doing a lot of training and pretty much everything for the first time. I have developed a lot in CAD and my presentation skills improved 10 fold! The learning only really starts when you enter your placements as this is the first time you will work on real projects within the business.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The overall organisation / structure is good, limited issues There has been some instances where people didn't have placements allocated / cancelled and was delayed a few weeks but all was sorted fairly quickly, I believe this has improved a lot compared to previous years.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Support from early careers is great, we have regular meetings will skills coaches and monthly catch ups with capability lead. They are all happy to help resolve any issues and are there to help answer any questions.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The support from uni is sufficient - again i believe this has improved from previous years but hasn't been brilliant. We had some issues that have been raised and took a while to bee resolved. They have put some extra classes on for some students that wanted more help. The support is there but not amazing
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Negligible, the placement work I am doing hasn't crossed over yet and looking at my placement schedule will not cross over for at least another year. It should help in the long run but so far I haven't seen any work that would benefit
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are social nights out organised by apprentices, a flying club with subsidised flying rates, various sports teams.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Despite very minor issues cropping up, the issues represent a small fraction of the scheme experience. Our cohort are really close and regularly see each other outside of the apprenticeship, the biggest part of the scheme is the placements - they are great and had no issues with them, the work is interesting, we have flexible working hours and opportunities to travel / work abroad on secondments.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
I'd say the BAE Values are a good one to review for interviews - come up with situations you have demonstrated these.
Dress smart, speak clearly and professionally - use STAR to stay on track with your answers.
RELAX, the interviewers are people too.
Have a drink between answers in your interviews
Dress smart, speak clearly and professionally - use STAR to stay on track with your answers.
RELAX, the interviewers are people too.
Have a drink between answers in your interviews
