Hardware Degree Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Rochester, Kent
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.3 /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
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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:
4/5
My role is as a hardware degree apprentice. Currently I am on placement within one of the company's departments, which includes doing power analysis to determine the how components are likely to be effected during operation.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Overall, I enjoy my programme a lot. There is a lot to learn, but I enjoy the challenge. There is a big workload with balancing between Uni and work, and staying on top on the workload is important to being successful. The biggest downside would be the amount of admin you have to do, though it will be useful if I have to look back and remind myself what I have done.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learned how to use a lot of tools needed within the industry, such as Mentor, ECD, and AGA, whilst becoming more familiar with the basics of electronics and expanding my existing skills in tools such as excel.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Overall, I would say it is well organised. Our manager and colleagues are very helpful and have provided a lot of training for us. However, the university has been a mixed bag, as their communication is hit and miss.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
We receive a lot of support, as our manager coordinates a lot of opportunities for us to expand our skillset and gain new knowledge, and is happy help us with any queries that we have. Our colleagues are also very helpful, and provide a lot of opportunities to network and learn from more experienced professionals.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Some of the lecturers have been very good and the resources that they provide, whether through the Moodle page, or through external sites, have been very useful in expanding my skillset. The communication could be better at times, as some members of staff seem a bit uncoordinated and can be a bit slow in responding to emails.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I find that the work at Uni overlaps quite well with the work at my job, and vice versa. I haven't done any electronic modules yet at Uni, but there are some coming up, which will be really helpful in understanding how the electronics work.
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
I know there are many activities on at work, though I don't get involved personally. I know there are event such as theatre trips, as well as sporting activities, such as football and running.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend for a number of reasons, mostly highlighted in my previous answers. At BAE, I have the opportunity to network and learn from experienced professionals, and with the size of the company, there is plenty of opportunity to grow your career and expand your skillset.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Make sure you stay on top the workload and everything will go smoothly. Don't be afraid to ask for help from colleagues, as they are more than happy to help.
