Mechanical Fitter Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Mechanical Engineering
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.1 /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
-
Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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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:
4/5
Day to day, I currently study at the college, doing a mixture of classroom and workshop based study. I learn about hand fitting tasks, general machinery tasks, and mechanical assemblies, as well as studying hydraulic systems and engineering processes. I will progress into the company soon and do my work based study.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy the practical work, and I really enjoy the subjects that we study too, and I am happy with the programme I chose. However I do not enjoy the waiting around a lot in college, and having a lot of time where we are not being challenged or set work to do, as college can sometimes be very unorganised I feel.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes, I have really developed my hands on skills and have learnt lots of new engineering tasks, as my prior knowledge to this subject was not very much.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is structured well and I know how most of it will run, progressing into the SASK out of full time college, and then into the business. College is not as well organised, and a lot of the time we are waiting around without structured tasks to do.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
The support is very good from my company, and they are very up to date with issues such as mental health and support around this, as well as physical health. If you are struggling with any work they really help you too.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The support when you are stuck is good if you go and see someone and ask for additional help with a subject. However in some lessons it is very rare that we actually receive feedback on how we are doing, which can make it difficult to gauge if the work you submit is correct.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I feel it is very clear how this qualification links in with my role, and without this qualification I could never carry out my role. The full time period of practical in college gives me a really good baseline to go into the company and put these skills into practice too.
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
Not at the moment whilst I’m in the college, however I have heard about the endless extra curricular activity opportunities within BAE, such as becoming a stem ambassador or getting involved with sports teams and events.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The company is a massive engineering employer, and they do a lot for the local area. They pay very well and above the average for this type of work, and they really look after their employees within the company. They are very professional and really care about the manufacturing work they carry out, which is something I think is very important.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Be yourself in the selection process and study all the different jobs to see which one is best suited to you first. I would say speak to people within the business to see what it is like, and go to the open events. Give a lot of effort into the selection process and come prepared, to give yourself the best chance of getting a job here.
