Environmental Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at MBDA
Degree Apprenticeship
Mechanical Engineering
Stevenage
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.7 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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:
5/5
I undertake 3-6 month placements around mechanical and environmental engineering, with the opportunity to do an external business/IT placement. In a mechanical engineering placement, my role will be helping the team I am in to achieve their tasks by the due date and to bring my knowledge from each department to improve how other departments are run.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I love my apprenticeship. The placements are great as you get a full view of all possible areas you can take a full time job in, and the scheme is run very well. There are lots of extra curricular opportunities for early careers people to get involved in such as outreach events and work experience schemes.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes. I have had courses in CREO (3D design), Primavera (project management), microsoft applications, and Siemens test lab whilst at work. At uni I have learnt softwares such as ANSYS mechanical (FEA) and Catia (3D design). I also have been taught extensively about environmental testing methods, analysis, and reporting.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
It is really well organised, departments are well aware of apprentices and treat them well and are well prepared to have apprentices. Everyone is very willing to help and explain their roles to you.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Lots of support. I get 5 study days per academic year which I can use to complete coursework or study for tests. There are lots of networks, such as PRIDE and Gen-EQ, where minority groups are celebrated and welcomed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
University of Hertfordshire is improving their apprenticeships. At the start of the apprenticeship (2022), it was a bit disorganised and felt like it had been left to the last minute to organise. Since then it has improved a lot and we see much less issues than in the first year.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My degree will be useful in future when moving jobs and looking for promotions. It also proves I can study and work at the same time, and continue to produce good quality work in both aspects. Not many elements of the course and my job overlap, but I can see how a degree would be useful to understand some of the harder concepts I come across, especially in environmental engineering placements.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes. I run MBDA's netball team, which is funded by the company. I am also the outreach lead, and organise MBDA's attendance at local schools, college, and university careers fairs. There is also opportunity to get involved in work experience schemes, volunteering opportunities, networking opportunities, and learning opportunities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend MBDA to a friend?
Yes
Why?
They are very supportive and their apprenticeship scheme is the best around. Everyone I attend uni with is jealous of how good the MBDA apprenticeship scheme is.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to MBDA?
be yourself, research the company values and what it does, be active and vocal in the assessment centre, but don't try to take over.
