Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Preston, UK
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
2.4 /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!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
1.8/5
-
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
Maintenance of HV/LV electrical equipment and project support.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
Placement work is good when working within the actual business. Early careers and apprenticeship experience has been confusing and communication hasn't been good.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Electrical theory.
Communications skills
Communications skills
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
Not good in terms of communication or relaying critical information. Conversations are often left to the last minute and seems rushed. A lot of early careers individuals do not appear to be fully aware of what specific processes are and random people within early careers who have no experience with the level 4 scheme are often leading important discussions.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
From placement managers/mentors it has been good. Early careers often fail to give clear answers on things, processes seem to change mid-way through the apprenticeship, with no clear plan.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
College was poor, some tutors were ok but a lot did not seem to know what they were teaching. It often relied on a lot of self teaching and revision. When working through NVQ level 2/3/4 it has been pretty bad from certain instructors. Long waits for replies/feedback and blatant harsh/critical feedback because of personal dislike. Any in-placement training provided by placement managers and mentors has been good.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
A lot of my qualification has been totally irrelevant to my final job role. Months of shop floor fitting work despite not being a craft apprentice, CAD design units/tasks even though these are rarely reflected in placement roles I have completed. Some relevant units such as safety related, research, commissioning and providing advice/guidance.
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
Yes - but I am not interested
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Despite the apprenticeship scheme being a mess, it is a good company to work for outside of the influence of early careers. Pay is good, job experience and development is good and training is provided where required.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Be prepared for early careers madness, but stick it out if you enjoy placement job roles.
