Electrical engineering test apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Engineering
Portsmouth
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
0.9 /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!
1/5
-
Overview of Role
1/5
-
Skills Development
1.2/5
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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:
1/5
I am a test apprentice and so I move around different placements within my site learning about the process of testing for each of the different sectors of the business.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
1/5
The HNC course that we are on is online and internal which a large majority of apprentices dislike and wish it would be changed. The company has a severe lack of communication which can get frustrating as certain topics take a long time to be resolved.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
1/5
I have developed my skill level of soldering via a course that ended with getting an IPC certificate. I have also been rarely able to experiment and develop my electronics knowledge and my knowledge of the products exported from my site.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
My placements are decided less than a week before I am meant to switch onto them. Initially i was based at a different site for training and the transfer to my permanent site was not smooth and showed a clear lack of communication.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
From certain members of management I receive a lot of help however this is not the same for all levels of management and the level of support received differs between person.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
I have tried to contact my training providers frequently and have rarely received a reply. They are difficult to reach and when reached are rarely able to provide valuable insight into the problems I am having.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
It doesn't. The course i am doing does not benefit my work at all. It is a useless course that is completely unrelated.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
There are small groups of employees that meet outside of work but this is not an official meeting and there are no groups within my work to join.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
No
Why?
It has poor communication and management and the HNC course is very poor. A lot of higher-up management is neglectful of the problems apprentices face.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Check that the HNC is not an online course, and if it is wait a year until it isn't, as the HNC course will not help you at all.
