Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice Review
at Airbus
Degree Apprenticeship
Computer Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering
Bristol
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.6 /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!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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
Being a Digital and Technology solutions apprentice, I have the ability to work in many areas that require specific Digital skills. For example, when in Industrial Cyber Security, I have categorised operational technology (OT) assets that need to be migrated to newer protocols and shown this to stakeholders in presentations, created documentation providing recommendations to them and the consequences if not. In Engineering functions, such as our Wind Tunnel facility, I planned, integrated and tested a new video link system to see specific data in the control room and around the facility. I would speak with my placement manager on a day-to-day basis as well as the user's of these solutions to gain feedback and potential changes to be implemented. I have also worked with subcontractors to guide them to a solution.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I thoroughly enjoy my apprenticeship program. I enjoy the flexibility of areas and placements which I am able to join and have felt that each one has provided guidance on prospects for future careers in a specific team, allowing me to understand which subjects and styles of work I enjoy and feel I would be most productive in. I am also enjoying visiting different Airbus sites in the UK and even in Europe to see the scale of manufacturing and engineering operations and meeting colleagues in person, who I would only otherwise meeting virtually. I also like how well the programme links with my university studies and find common overlaps with my subjects of study with the fundamentals being easily applicable to work projects.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes, my presentation skills have been vastly improved being able to speak with confidence on subjects of interest and I enjoy completing them now as I am excited to talk to people about what I do. I feel that overall my communication skills have improved vastly, not being afraid to speak with anybody and talk to them and learn what they do. I have also been able to speak with students about my passion for STEM subjects and help to guide them through Careers Fayres, Site Tours and Mock Interviews all items I wish I had more of when I was starting my professional career. Since starting the apprenticeship, I do feel more able to code in various common languages such as C# and SQL database queries after completing university assignments and being involved in projects which use them.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme has clearly defined units to be completed in university which have will become more specialised to the student's preferred pathway (Software, Cybersecurity, Network, Data, Business). This allows you to pick areas which you enjoy and also start to plan for your career in your company. The assignments are clearly structured whether they are a project, report, group task or time controlled assessment. I am yet to comment on the End Point Assessment process, as I have not begun this yet due to not starting Year 4.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I feel very well supported with all facets of the degree apprenticeship from Airbus. My support network is vast with a HR manager to help with time management and the administration of the job, my target area officer (TAO) who provides me with support within my home area of Digital as well as placement managers who take me under there wing, to provide opportunities to understand what different teams do and be a part of it from three to six months. There is also plenty of information and services on wellbeing such as access to councellors and CBT platforms. I also have received much knowledge and help from befriended colleagues and ex-apprentices.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I have had a good level support from the training provider as they have provided me with Recordings of lectures, the accompanying presentations and relevant resources for further reading. These have all aided with my knowledge on units and helped to complete assessments and assignments to a high level. I also appreciate that some of the lecturers have had industry experience in their relevant teaching fields which helps specifically with the occupational element of the apprenticeship.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The qualification has previously and is currently providing me with the fundamentals of IT and Project Management best practices which I can transfer to the workplace. Some of these include, project management methodologies such as linear and incremental methods; both of which I have used in different areas within the company such as the Scaled Agile Framework for Digital projects and more Waterfall projects for Engineering projects and hardware integrations.
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
Yes, plenty. We have Enterprise Resource Groups (ERGs) such as Generation Airbus for social events, all kinds of sporting events and guest speaker sessions. We also arrange socials within departments and between apprentices. I particularly enjoy the Cars and Coffee events where I can see classic vehicles and meet new employees with their pride and joy!
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Airbus to a friend?
Yes
Why?
A fantastic local employer, with great interests in Engineering and Digital opportunities for Early Careers. If you are interested in working towards a managerial route or technical route, Airbus has so many areas, departments and teams across their various sites around the world, you are sure to find subjects that interest you and have the opportunities to explore new ones in the future.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Airbus?
Airbus don't just look for qualifications and academic ability - they want to see strong personal and team-contributing characteristics. If you have had experience in a part-time position and worked your way up to different roles and also help new employees to be onboarded, this will be invaluable experience. The size of the company can be quite daunting at first although, be sure to curate your professional network, making connections with your fellow apprentices, other early careers and other employees as this will open doors for you and create good social experiences. Always ask questions, as this shows an attitude to self-improvement and may help show new ways of completing something which may not have otherwise been thought of - your voice counts! Also be prepared to keep logs of what you do, inside of work and in academia as this is a core element of showing progression throughout the course.
