Software Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering
Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
1.6 /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!
1/5
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Overview of Role
1/5
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Skills Development
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:
1/5
My role within the business sees me facilitate the work undertaken by various Software related teams depending on my current placement. This has ranged from minor amends to existing systems, additions to existing software and the planning and requirements gathering of new software.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
1/5
I do not. The opportunity is wonderful however, the programme needs work. More could be done to implement a programme that aligns expectations with the industry to better serve the business and apprentices. The focus does not seem to be on individuals and their progress/value to the business but on the success rate of placing candidates within the business post-apprenticeship.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
1/5
Very few. I have had to push to receive work that meets the needs of my apprenticeship standard and those which I wish to personally cover. I entered the business more developed in some areas than other apprentices and have found that this seems to stop me from developing both new and existing skills as the business sees me as performing as needed. I have frequently asked for exposure to software related skills but it has been a push and the outcome is not always in line with industry standard practices, so this exposure is not always beneficial in a wider sense. Any criticism of this seems to result in a blanket statement of 'This is the industry' or 'It's not like Silicon Valley'. This is completely understandable but there seems to be a real lack of structure and formality in regards to operating in a standard way for Software Engineering.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
I would say poorly. There seems to be a real lack of focus on expectations on the individual apprentices and the programme really puts the emphasis on the individual to make what they want of it. I feel there is very much a one size fits all approach that allows for people to come into the business and see no difference whether they put in the bare minimum or try to excel. All that seems to be measured are generic milestones with no regard to the experiences of the individual. There needs to be a better system for integrating apprentices within the business that addresses the needs of the apprentice whilst also acknowledging the huge resources required from their team/mentors whilst on placement. At the moment the system sees us placed into teams that don't always have the time and resource to facilitate us working towards being competent engineers.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I have received outstanding support from the business when needed and have also seen others supported well in a variety of circumstances. The business has robust procedure in place to deal with a multitude of experiences and it is made clear from day one how these can be accessed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
We are currently at a training provider with no SME's (Subject Matter Experts). All onus on success is placed on us as students which given the addition of being in the business and completing an apprenticeship has lead to a great deal of pressure. The business has acknowledged the failings of the provider but little has/can be done in way of changing anything. Given the nature of our work and the degree we are working towards, I feel this has been a vital misstep and has had a huge impact on us as apprentices.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
Nothing has been gained from my training provider. The only developments I have made have been through working with my colleagues and self initiated learning. There is a huge disconnect between our education and the roles we undertake within the business and I feel the attitude is that the real learning starts post apprenticeship. I have undertaken my degree to the highest possible standard due to my own conviction but had I not put in extra work in my own personal time I would likely not have passed or be performing as expected at 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.)
2/5
The local apprenticeship council organises a variety of frequent events. Early Careers also provide a lot of on site talks from a variety of people from within the industry. I feel that there is a bit of a brick wall in between apprentices and the business and as such people are reluctant to interact in a networking capacity until your apprenticeship has been completed.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
No
Why?
There is a huge misalignment between my role and the roles I have worked previously. I don't think many of my friends would accept the standards and operating practices seen throughout my apprenticeship this far and would be shocked to see the contrast between the programme and their current employment. The way many people conduct themselves is not in line with what a lot of people I know would expect from a working environment and I often feel this is dismissed due to people being apprentices. I would like to see apprentices brought in and shown how to conduct themselves within a business to their own benefit and that of the business. However, currently it seems that if people are not coming into the business with the skills and requirements needed to succeed, they are also not being shown or taught them. This then leads the business to have a cautious view of apprentices which in turn limits potential for both the apprentice and the business.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Research the interview process and focus on your personal attributes and qualities. The business does not look at your technical skillset in the first instance and wants to see that you are a good fit personally, look into desirable candidate attributes such as time keeping, attendance, conducting yourself within a business etc. Other than that, a good understanding of programming principles would give you a great starting point technically.
