Degree Apprentice - Nuclear Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: April 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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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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 dependant on what placement I am in, currently I work with the infrastructure team to find, develop and justify the usage of new technology that will be used within the new facilities that will be built on-site for SSNA. I have been in many different placements which show me different areas of the business and help develop my knowledge.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
My programme is an excellent opportunity that I have really enjoyed from the start. As we are on placement rotations, the enjoyment is entirely dependant on what team I am in, however, I have still enjoyed the whole apprenticeship so far, just preferring some areas over others. I also enjoy knowing I have a secure future career for myself regardless of where I am.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
This current placement has helped me develop many soft skills that I have been developing since joining, including communication, team work and project management. As this area is new to me I have also developed new, more specific skills such as justification procurement and the research and development of new technology
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
As my programme has been active for over 15 years it has been vastly tried and tested, the structure of the programme is very well built and understandable. The only current issue is the increasing numbers and in-turn the increasing demand of placements, this causes some placements to be less nuclear focused than others simply due to a lack of availability.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
The employer have offered constant and thorough support so far, giving me feedback on my performance and a chance to review on behaviours. However, this support is not overwhelming, meaning I have developed the skills to support myself which will be needed in the future.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
My training provider offers a lot of 1-1 support where needed, giving feedback to those who ask for it in assignments. Many additional sessions are offered to us where needed, especially in more difficult subjects which may need more revision and support to help us understand. This support can be inconsistent at times though, and is dependant on the teacher/lecturer
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Most of the modules that are covered by my training provider directly link to the work I have been undertaking in my role, meaning I have a better technical knowledge of the fields I am working in. This has been very useful for my development, in some areas more than others.
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
As stretch is a mandatory requirement of our apprenticeship there is a lot of availability to get involved with outreach operations to encourage people into the STEM field. Other than this there isn't many extra-curricular activities provided directly by the company. There is still plenty activities on offer that is provided by the local community.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The company itself offers a wide range of jobs and comes with a very good pay. The apprenticeship itself is an amazing opportunity to learn and earn, which although can be done at other places, BAE offers a good wage, a good scheme and the opportunity to work for UK Defense which in most other places can not be said.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
For my apprenticeship the A-Level Grade requirements were lower than any other university course. This meant that BAE were more focused on my performance in the interview and the behaviours I displayed. From this my best advice is to practice interviews often, as this is a skill that is needed to get any job. Even those who don't have much work experience can perform well in interviews if they know the right things to say. It can be difficult to be confident in interviews so the best way to get past this is to practice answering common questions and trying to relax, interviews should be seen as conversations rather than interrogations.
