Network Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

As a network engineering apprentice, my role involves designing, managing and monitoring network infrastructure anywhere from a simple network consisting of end hosts to networks with a multitude of network devices. On certain days I may be configuring and installing network devices like Switches or Routers, and on other days it may just be working on network labs to hone my skills and improve my knowledge. Everyday I try to learn a new topic within the CCNA course to help within my job role. This has allowed me to spot things when working on tasks.

I would say the programme is pretty well structured. Prior to becoming an apprentice I heard a lot of noise about OTJ hours (Off-the-job) and the nuisance it can cause keeping up with it, and I will not hide the facts, it can be annoying. However, my organisation has considered the implications of OTJ thoroughly and made OTJ trackers, KSB trackers and reviews that allow the tasks of tracking KSBs easier for apprentices. So although it can be difficult, the opportunity cost of collating evidence and OTJ hours at another organisation is close to non-existent.

I usually have monthly reviews with my placement manager where we discuss areas of development and talk about things I have done particularly well. We also discuss new things I could do or get involved in to make the apprentice experience more enriching. I am also able to talk to my line manager about health, safety and wellbeing concerns that I may have both at work and home which has really allowed me transition into the organisation to be smooth sailing.

My training provider - Cranfield University are responsible for providing my training. My cohort of engineering apprentices have bi-weekly sessions where we are taught topics that either provide a means of contribution towards are university modules or enhance our general engineering knowledge. We also have quarterly visits to the university itself where we have in-person sessions. This allows us to meet apprentices from other business units, but more importantly, talk to our professors about our course. Our assignments are marked relatively fast but I think attaining support from university staff when not there in-person can be difficult. There has also been a disparity of details relating to KSBs between my organisation my university. This has left certain areas foggy.

At the moment, my training provider has not covered many things related to my job role. The have concentrated on the larger engineering principles. So it is very difficult to say much on its contribution to my role.

Yes

BAE Systems has been running apprenticeships for a while now, and through time and experience gained, the apprentice experience has become very streamlined with more and more people joining for a reason - they just do it better than others. From the actual job role and being able to delve into other placements unrelated to your anchoring role to visiting different business units across the country to attending university and getting given an allowance (who does not love free food), BAE systems just does it all and they do it well.