ES Hardware Degree Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Rochester, Kent
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
-
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
working on placements in hardware departments as a part of the team in hardware engineering, this involves time management, electronics, independence, team skills, communication etc...
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
its well structured and looked after, we are valued and sufficiently supported in our role and help is available where necessary
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
yes, coding in C, coding in Python, embedded C, breadboarding, PCB routing etc
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
very well structured with placements and sufficient time to complete university work, the course is well planned for the remaining 3 years and the placements are suitable and sufficiently stretching
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
great support from all sectors of the business and amazing support from the line manager to help ease our job roles
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
the support is available however it is often hard to reach as a few lecturers fail to reply often and much of the support is tailored to full time students. The designated apprenticeship coordinator is a stand-in while they find a sufficient coordinator an although temporary this has continued for c. 9+ months and she fails to compete her tasks sufficiently due to the remainder of her job role. There is often incorrect communications from such coordinator and she often talks of "changing the degree format" without prior consulting the company or those affected. The KSB format is hard to use and inefficient often discouraging the recording of progress unless significant
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
the course is relevant and suitable and allows us to fulfil our job role through the content provided however the expectation are often unclear or miscommunicated, however the content of the teaching for the qualification is suitable and well paced to suite the learning relevant to the modules and layout of the course.
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
yes, there are plenty with craft, football and Warhammer being the more popular amongst general employees there are also socials between graduates, apprentices and industrial placement students
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
it is well structured and a great provider of training and employment being an industry leader with great care for its employees
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
don't be disheartened if when applying for an apprenticeship you are not accepted the first time as it is highly competitive with a c. 1.7% acceptance rate.
