Higher Apprentice - Procurement (Supply Chain) Review
at BAE Systems
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Procurement
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
3.6 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.4/5
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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
I have just started my new placement in a buying role. We do a lot of negotiating prices and communicating with suppliers to make sure we get the right price at the right time etc. We have been on a supplier visit to get to know the suppliers better as well as discuss what we as the buyers as well as them as the suppliers can do better and build a better relationship between both.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I enjoy the programme because we go around different departments and that helps to get a 'feel' for the business as well as giving me more of an idea which department I would like to work with.
However, we do have to do CIPS as part of our apprenticeship and I am struggling with the remote learning rather than a classroom setting as I am not used to the remote learning and it doesn't support my way of learning.
However, we do have to do CIPS as part of our apprenticeship and I am struggling with the remote learning rather than a classroom setting as I am not used to the remote learning and it doesn't support my way of learning.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Due to only starting this placement last week, I have not yet developed many skills. I feel that I have been more confident with communicating with the suppliers we did during the supplier visit and I feel more skills will be developed around communication and building relationships as I progress through this placement.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
I think there is quite a lot of people involved in one programme that can make things quite confusing when having a question and not knowing who to go too.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My previous Line Manager was amazing for helping and supporting me whenever I needed. She gave me tasks that I could get my 'teeth' into and really get involved.
I am getting to know my current Line Manager and I feel he will be just as supportive and helpful as well as give me challenging tasks.
I am getting to know my current Line Manager and I feel he will be just as supportive and helpful as well as give me challenging tasks.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I feel that with certain topics, we receive a good amount of support, but feel we could be supported more with other things. I personally think this is harder because everything is remote.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
I don't feel it helps a great amount as Line Managers and CIPS (training provider) do not have any interaction between each other which can make it harder to interact between the two and relay information back to the other.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes, I am part of the apprentice mental health team and help with monthly calls and presentations on certain topics related to mental health as well as signpost other apprentices to certain people when needed.
I also help with stretch activities where schools get involved in certain activities to help them understand more about the business.
I also help with stretch activities where schools get involved in certain activities to help them understand more about the business.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I feel it is a good place to work with lots of resources available if needed as well as lots of opportunity to progress to different departments.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Make sure that if you are applying for the apprenticeship you are aware if it is exam/assignment/all on the job based and if you are confident with exams etc.
