Engineering Degree Apprentice Review
at GE Aerospace
Degree Apprenticeship
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
2.9 /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!
2.5/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
2.2/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
I work on live engineering projects, experiencing what it means to be a hardware, software and systems engineer. Across my placements I have created test software procedures, developed design documentation, as well as partaking in project planning for my team.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
The programme offers a lot of opportunities both on and off of project. I enjoy the sections of the programme but how it is managed and put together can cause unwarranted stress
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
In every project placement I have developed new technical skills, as well as developing my leadership and soft skills
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
My programme causes a lot of stress in terms of juggling priorities: project, non-project, and university work. The programme manager will expect you to exceed in all priorities, yet cut time allowance on non-project and university projects - often with poor communication and no offered reason.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
The leaders on my project have always been extremely helpful and supporting to me. However the managers of the apprenticeship aren't the supporters I'd expect them to be - especially when managing young people in their first job.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Lecturers are generally really helpful and supportive. However as the course is jointly managed between GlosCol (apprenticeship) and UWE (degree), sometimes communication can be disjointed and issues slow to be resolved.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
I use some of the knowledge I've gained from my qualification, however performing tasks in the workplace is where I learn the most.
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
GE Aerospace Cheltenham offers a wide variety of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to get involved with and their are some employee arranged sports and social events.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend GE Aerospace to a friend?
No
Why?
GE Aerospace - yes. My apprenticeship programme - no. Currently I feel that there is a disregard for apprentices' mental health on my programme. High expectations remain in place, however management makes it harder to reach them. For a programme that people start their career on, I find the support provided to be well below my expectations.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to GE Aerospace?
As an apprenticeship, most candidates will be fresh from sixth-form/college and have almost identical qualifications. It is important to focus on your soft skills and behaviours. Show that you are a team player and are willing learn. And show some knowledge about and interest in the company/industry.
