Aerospace engineering Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Warton, Carnforth, UK
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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:
5/5
I am currently still doing rotational placements around the company. Currently I work in flight control systems where I work alongside actual flight control engineers carrying out tasks such as designing and writing test procedures for a flight control system. I also work on stretch tasks around subjects that interest me.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
For the most part, work placements are good and interesting, however I have found myself a couple times put into non engineering placements which was frustrating. Overall though the support is there to get you back into proper engineering roles when mistakes like that happen.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Throughout my first three years, I have learnt a lot of engineering and aerospace theory. I have had hands on experience with some powerful and complex toolsets and have also built management and leadership skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
From the start of the program, I was made aware of what the structure of the program looked like. There is a clear structure with an introduction period to the company, then placement rotations and then two years of specialisation. Level 4 diploma periods and EPA preparation fits appropriately with the work timeline.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I do receive a lot of support from my employer. I have a skills coach who is very helpful in both supporting my level 4 diploma work and also listening to my concerns around things like training providers or work placements. Sometimes it does feel like some people in the company do not understand the frustrations apprentices have.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
The training provider has been less helpful. Some of the lecturers try their hardest and it shows and it is appreciated. However some seem to not put much effort in at all. There have been problems with language difficulties in the past. Assignments are sometimes handed out late or with not enough support and exam questions sometimes written with mistakes. However some people in the college try very hard to mitigate the mistakes and get us back on track and make an effort to be contactable for help.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
It really depends on the specific job you do at work. The degree done with the training provider, does not cover every single aspect of engineering, so this gap is left to your team to fill, but in some cases degree modules to relate to your current job and provide a good base to build from.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
I volunteer with the heritage department which helps keep and archive of the history of the company and help serve as a reminder on many of the mazing projects of the past. There are also the odd events with and everyone is encouraged to join the royal aeronautical society. However there is not much in terms of sports or activities like clubs to get involved in, although apparently it was better before the pandemic and this is something people are working to get back.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Its the only company left in the UK that is a true prime contractor in the aerospace and defence business with engineering teams for each part of the engineering lifecycle. Other companies are around, but they mostly multi national with only very specific disciplines located in the UK. Only BAE really gives you the opportunity to work from an early lifecycle engineering phase all the way to decommissioning. The company also has a solid support structure. There are a lot of employee benefits to take advantage of. The company leadership has good relations with a strong trade union ensuring employees are well treated and compensated. The exposure to new technology and incredibly interesting projects is also unmatched by the offerings of other companies in the UK.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Firstly think hard about whether you are prepared to put in the effort for a degree apprenticeship. Working alongside studying is hard and is stressful, especially in a hard subject like aerospace engineering.
Secondly ensure that you develop the right professional behaviours and are clear in the way you present. Once in the job you will be representing the company. Our clients are governments and their militaries who expect nothing but professionalism and the assessors will have that in their minds.
Thirdly, be confident in yourself. Very few people start off as brilliant public speakers or presenters, everyone has to start from somewhere it's all about haw far you are willing to push yourself to develop outside of your comfort zone.
Secondly ensure that you develop the right professional behaviours and are clear in the way you present. Once in the job you will be representing the company. Our clients are governments and their militaries who expect nothing but professionalism and the assessors will have that in their minds.
Thirdly, be confident in yourself. Very few people start off as brilliant public speakers or presenters, everyone has to start from somewhere it's all about haw far you are willing to push yourself to develop outside of your comfort zone.
