Designer Review

Item: Designer at BAE Systems
Rating: 3.9
Author: Anonymous

at BAE Systems

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Engineering

Barrow-in-Furness

Review Submitted: April 2025

Overall Rating

3.9 /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 - Overview of Role

4/5 - Skills Development

3.6/5 - 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

Since starting on site i have been on 3 different placements. Firstly i was on a training environment which helped me learn the system and the basic stuff on how to design certain parts and what we need to consider.
My second placement was PED which helped support the Jigs that were being used to support the units on the shop floor, i designed new jigs and worked with jig that have already been designed but need improvement.
My third placement the placement i'm currently on in manufacturing engineering/ build line support which i'm supporting the trades on the shop floor and helping solving any issues with drawings and shop floor issues.
Whilst being here i have been on many different training courses. Some that help me with my day to day job and some that are needed around the company.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

4/5

I enjoy my programme. I enjoy the placement i'm on at the moment (manufacturing engineering). Everyone is willing to help and give me feedback if there's room for improvement. I've had different types of jobs which is allowing me to have a go at everything and see where i need to develop in the future. I am also going to the shop floor to see the problems in real life which i enjoy as if i see the issue it makes it easier for me to understand and come up with a new plan. If i have any questions my team are willing to help and give me guidance.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

I have been on many different training courses some which helped for my job and some that are needed to be able to work in the company and make it the safest environment to work in as possible.
Without the training courses that i completed for my job it would have been hard to learn the basic steps whilst trying to learn the job. I was on a training environment which lasted 6 months which allowed us to have an understanding what we will be doing daily and allowed us to ask any questions or who we can contact if we need any help.
I've had online training and in person training overall i prefer the in person training but understand it's hard to have them all in person.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

3/5

So far my programme has been structed and organised well in different ways. There has been room for improvement but nothing that is major.
The room for improvement would be to find out our next placements with a bit more notice and i feel like my training environment could have been a little bit more organised in certain ways.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

4/5

Throughout my apprenticeship so far i feel i have received good support. My teams have always been willing to help me if i had any questions or sit and go over something with me if i was unsure. I'm made aware of who my appointed person is and that's who i go to with any issues.
My skills coach has been supportive with my EPA and making sure everything is up to date and on track. We go over these in our 12 week review and if any issues she's happy to help.
I was struggling with my HNC and went to Tracey which helped me by providing support and allowing me to have half a day with someone that has completed their HNC to go over it if struggling.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

4/5

When in college we had great support from the business but there was some issues with tutors at college but once we made our boss aware the support improved and allowed us to get through the first year of our apprenticeship. I was struggling with my HNC which i spoke to my skills coach and Tracey about which they provided great support which has helped me and allowed me to pass my assignments.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

4/5

I feel by attending college for the first year has helped me within my apprenticeship as we did drawing lessons which allowed us to have some basic understandings for example how to read a drawing and what things are on a drawing and what they mean. The health and safety lessons gave me a better understanding of how to keep safe in a work place. Overall the whole college course helped me work on my HNC and get my qualification.

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

We completed outward bound whilst still in college and i have attended some STEM activities which allows me to communicated with different people and work on my EPA. Although i don't attend any sport teams i'm sure there is some available to attend if you were interested in joining a sports team.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?

Yes

Why?

I would recommend BAE to a friend/ family member as it has great opportunities and constantly developing to defend our country. There's many benefits behind working for the company and theres lot of room to go higher and keep developing.