DTS Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Cyber Security
Christchurch, Dorset
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
2.5 /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!
2/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
2.2/5
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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:
2/5
I move around the projects on my site to ensure I experience a wide variety of things, from networking to programming to vulnerability checking and maintenance. We are on 6-12 month rotations with each project being different. At the moment, my day is a mixture of hands on work (like rig auditing or laptop building and eclypting) with a mixture of on screen work (such as document work and emails).
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I think that the programme offers a wide and varied selection of opportunities that are brilliant, and I do believe it is an excellent job and experience to have under your belt. However, as a young female partaking in this programme, I have found that the attitude and work environment to be, more often than not, rather unfriendly. Though there has been many highlights, I have struggled to find my feet and stand ground among teams that are predominately older white males.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I came into the role with some knowledge that i had learnt doing computer science A-Level but within the last year and a half i have been at the company i have improved many skills. Especially skills around networking, cyber security and general computing knowledge. In addition I have been given opportunities to improve and excel skills, such as my coding through means of paid for memberships to sites like Codeacademy.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
My programme isn't the over organised or structured but there is a general plan, with university happening one day a week online, and a block release week in person at Cranfield MK:U every four months or so.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
There is adequate support if need from available counselling to support from skill coaches and more.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
The uni have people in place for support if you need to reach out though duwe to how the programme is run there is a limited amount they can support.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
So far the knowledge that has been taught to me through my first year has been very basic and more of a recap of information from A-Levels though there is high chance this improves as of now I learn more on the job then from the uni.
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
Due to the size of the Christchurch site there is a huge amount, especially for apprentices. Though as a Site Rep I am hoping to improve this going forward, as of now, though, there is an occasional apprentice social and a handful of site clubs (such as the gardening and running groups).
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
As a company I probably would not recommend, but for the apprenticeships and the other schemes they offer, I would, simply because it provides brilliant opportunities whilst also giving you highly thought after experience that will aid job hunting in your future.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Look at the behaviours and the company's values when applying and use that to your advantage as the interview questions will be based around those areas. As well, look at using the STAR technique when giving answers and examples.
