Apprentice Aerospace Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
3.9 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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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:
5/5
Dealing with Customers and Vendors, ensuring that all work is completed within the desired timeframe and to a high level of quality. The specific daily tasks depend on the department in which I am working, but they normally require the above type of work
I am also required to complete a number of "Early Careers" based tasks including diploma work and performance reviews as part of the apprenticeship standard.
I am also required to complete a number of "Early Careers" based tasks including diploma work and performance reviews as part of the apprenticeship standard.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy the programme, the company is excellent in the way that we are treated in general. The work that I have been able to do during my time at the company has been extremely interesting, allowing me to really develop as an engineer.
There are some things I think could be changed to make the course run more smoothly; the communication between the early careers team and our placement teams could be improved, and the training provider has a little way to go before the degree delivery is as effective as possible.
There are some things I think could be changed to make the course run more smoothly; the communication between the early careers team and our placement teams could be improved, and the training provider has a little way to go before the degree delivery is as effective as possible.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed a lot of the skills I felt I had before joining the company, ranging from technical knowledge to communication skills.
I have also learned a lot of new skills with relation to health and safety assessments and task management.
I have also learned a lot of new skills with relation to health and safety assessments and task management.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The programme would benefit from some improvements to organisation, we are often informed of changes to our programme at very late notice and expected to change plans to accommodate these changes.
Our placement teams, for the most part, are excellent. But the Early Careers team should probably improve communication channels with these teams to improve the effectiveness of the placements.
Our placement teams, for the most part, are excellent. But the Early Careers team should probably improve communication channels with these teams to improve the effectiveness of the placements.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
The employer offers a lot of support in most cases, we are assigned a "skills coach" at the beginning of the course and these act as our main point of contact for course based issues.
I have noticed that it is all luck of the draw with these skills coaches, though, some of them are better than others. But if you feel like your skills coach is not as effective as others, the others are usually happy to help where they can
I have noticed that it is all luck of the draw with these skills coaches, though, some of them are better than others. But if you feel like your skills coach is not as effective as others, the others are usually happy to help where they can
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
This really depends on circumstances, in some cases we have had ample support and guidance. In some other cases, though, we have been brushed off when asking for support or explanation of issues.
In recent times this has been slightly improved and staffing changes have been the cause of this issue for the most part, in my opinion.
In recent times this has been slightly improved and staffing changes have been the cause of this issue for the most part, in my opinion.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I think this really depends on the type of work you do during your role. For me, the degree has been fairly unrelated to my role; if anything, my work has assisted me in the completion of my degree, not the other way around.
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
There are some extra-curricular activities, there is a workplace choir and some other regular apprentice events. There are also some networking events however, these are normally organised by the Royal Aeronautical Society.
We have a small gym facility available to us on site also, the equipment is very limited though.
We have a small gym facility available to us on site also, the equipment is very limited though.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The company is excellent. We are paid a very good salary, with many other benefits available - some of which are paid (pre tax) and others are free as part of our employment.
There are many development opportunities and training courses, as well as some opportunity for national and international travel (depending on your work department).
There are many development opportunities and training courses, as well as some opportunity for national and international travel (depending on your work department).
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Make sure you have a good understanding of what the company is, whether you are comfortable with the work you would be doing, and ensure that you are willing to put in a good amount of effort - you get out as much as you put in.
