Aerospace engineering Review

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.

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.

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.

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. The college also has a lack of access to academic resources like research papers, although apparently this is changing.

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.

Yes

It is 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 multinational 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.