Apprentice Welder Review
at BAE Systems
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Engineering
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
1.6/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
I support my tradespeople with jobs and tasks which helps me gain more understanding of the role I will be coming into once I finish my apprenticeship. I am also given jobs daily from my team leader to gain more skill and experience, as well as boosting my overall confidence.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughly enjoy my programme.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed my general welding ability through being on placement around the Barrow site. I have also gained new skills such as setting up my gear independently, changing gas bottles once they run empty and changing the gas regulator, and improving my ability to weld restricted in a mirror.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
My programme isn't very well organised or structured. I often won't get a reply from my line manager when I need support or guidance, I have only just started welding theory sessions ( a year late ), and I have been told multiple different things regarding rotating around the placements.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
My team leader offers as much support as possible whilst supporting all the other tradespeople and apprentices but that is as far as my support goes. My line manager offers no support. I had an issue the last few months with my pay being incorrect, my line manager, no help.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
Very little. I rarely have any communication with my skill coaches. We are supposed to have a review every 12 weeks but my last one was back in December, over 4 months ago.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
My qualification is completely irrelevant to my day to day role. I am a pipe welder, on a plate welding apprenticeship. Once I finish my apprenticeship I will obtain a level 3 qualification in plate welding but I have no experience in, or any knowledge of plate welding, only pipe.
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
No.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The lucrative salary, the benefits which come with the job e.g: shares incentive scheme, a strong pension plan, private dental insurance etc. Above all the pride you gain in knowing what you're working towards, building billion pound nuclear submarines which are a symbol of the strong coastal defence.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
You'll never find anywhere else with a higher quality of learning and experienced professionals.
