Aerospace Software Engineering Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Warton, Preston PR4, UK
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.4 /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
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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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
Half of the week is spent working in a placement team which is rotated on a 6-month basis. I have 1 day per week on day release to university and 1 day per week to work on assignments and portfolio.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Working within the placement teams at BAES is very rewarding and exciting. The work done on-site also helps compliment the learning done in the classroom and makes achieving the degree much easier. There is also a large amount of freedom regarding external projects and opportunities.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learned how to work in a Software team and developed many relevant soft skills. The combination of on-the-job and off-the-job learning has also provided me with good technical knowledge.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
BAES and B&FC (training provider) have a good amount of communication and respond to feedback given by us effectively. The support systems for apprentices at BAES are also vast and very helpful when required. The company provides ample opportunity to explore different aspects of the company during the programme.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
The Early Careers team have frequent communication with all apprentices and there are dedicated teams for different schemes which allows for more frequent and clearer contact. The working schedule implemented allows us to complete the degree alongside the job obligations with minimal stress which improves productivity.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The college provide many different methods to receive support and for students to give feedback and respond well to recommendations made by students. They also have regular communication with my employer which helps for changes to be made when they are needed. The facilities and staffing the college have allow for a more direct teaching approach which helps learning.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The degree I am pursuing will give me the relevant technical knowledge that I will need to perform my role. It will also help me understand the different processes involved in Software Engineering other than just coding and will teach me the skills I need to become an effective Software Engineer.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are many opportunities that BAES support for apprentices to take part in providing that there is a relevant business case to be made. My employer actively encourages apprentices to take part in other projects that are supported by the business in order to network and gain other experiences. Extra-curricular activities outside of working hours such as sports teams are either less common or less pronounced.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The apprenticeship programme they offer is very lucrative and one of the best on offer in the UK. The technical and professional knowledge gained during the apprenticeship is invaluable and helps apprentices be the best they can be at their role.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
If you would like to be a BAES apprentice, ensure that your passions and ambitions align with the company as it is important to be enthusiastic and have the appropriate qualities to get the most out of the programme. This apprenticeship programme will allow apprentices to be pushed as far as they will push themselves.
