Calibration Technitian Review
at BAE Systems
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
3.2 /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!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
2.6/5
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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:
3/5
1st year at College learning Manufacturing Engineering. Half week Classroom based Mech/Elec Principles and half week workshop learning practical skills in Mechanical and Electrical trades
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I have enjoyed some elements of the process so far, however the college is hugely understaffed and the course I am undertaking seems to not have enough time for all the areas we are required to learn.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have managed to learn new skills in the practical area of the workshops and also learnt processes for the engineering principles.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
As mentioned, due to the colleges struggles this part of the apprenticeship does seem to lack a little bit of structure. BAE however do seem to be more organised in the elements they are involved in or when we visit site etc
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
BAE have been excellent in supporting our learning, arranging additional resource to come into college when reported onto them - for example extra maths
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
Due to the lack of time we seem to have for the amount of work for the course, some subjects are rushed by the tutors and therefore is a lack of real tuition offered. That said in some lessons the tutors are excellent so a real mixed bag
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Hard to judge at this point as Calibration is quite specific and we haven't started placements. This would be easier to answer in the part of the apprenticeship beyond college.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
Not at this time, however I am aware of opportunities to get involved with STEM etc beyond this year.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The company is a big part of the town and has an order book that the world can envy. The Skills learnt are able to be taken away and used globally so a full career can be had in the Barrow location, other sites in the UK or globally or even once trained taken and utilised elsewhere.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Show honesty and integrity in what you do and display safe behaviours and values, this would go a long way
