Digital Technology Graduate Apprenticeship Review

As a Digital Technology Graduate Apprentice, I collaborate with global development teams to support the custom development for GE Aerospace's Engines Modernisation MES Systems. Typical responsibilities include troubleshooting production defects, supporting the development of new features and playing a crucial role in shaping the software development process for the custom development team.

While this program didn't contain rotations within the business, it allowed me to build my personal brand within the MES team and develop solid connections. I worked on complex problems for an extended period of time which allowed me to gained deeper product knowledge that would not be possible within a short rotation. I have established myself as a reliable, experienced professional with my team, and have had the opportunity to support global and domestic deployments. The degree would deliver a different module every 12 weeks, with perhaps 2 weeks break in-between modules, which often involved completing university apprenticeship portfolio work, and at times felt like little break. However, over the terms I have developed a strong set of organisational skills that have made the experience of the later terms more enjoyable due to better time management skills. I'm allocated 20% of my week to complete lectures and any additional tasks for my apprenticeship which has been prioritised by the senior members of the MES team.

GE Aerospace have been outstanding at supporting my academic studies alongside my working hours. I have support from the senior members of the team who actively seek to develop my learning and regularly meet with me to understand how else they can help. I couldn't ask for a better team to support me through this program.

QA have been challenging to work with at times, with course cancellations and poor communication. This has improved over the last few modules and I feel that during these modules, when I actively seek support I get it! The lecturers are always welcome to questions and have on more than one occasion went above and beyond at support my assignment preparation.

While I have went back and forth on the relevance of certain modules to my role as a developer, including the business, leadership and reflective modules, holistically, it has provided a better understanding of how to navigate the organisational landscape as a young professional, which I think is a difficult skill to learn. Specifically, professional practice modules, which have provided hands on technical training through the QA learning platform, have been invaluable in gaining exposure to tools that I use on a daily-basis.

Yes

GE Aerospace have always supported me both personally and professionally. When I first joined GE Aerospace on an internship in 2021, I moved from Northern Ireland to England, leaving behind friends and family which was a difficult experience. GE Aerospace supported me through this moving process, and when it came to enrolling onto my apprenticeship program in 2023, the same thought and care was provided. I have always questioned processes and procedures from day one, constantly looking to improve how GE Aerospace design, develop and deploy their software. Rather than being dismissed, my opinions were welcomed and I was listened to, not once have I noticed a hierarchy within my team, we are treated as equals and that has really made me value my experience at GE Aerospace, as I feel important.