Senior Commissioning Engineer Review
at BAE Systems
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
2.3 /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!
2/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
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
Testing and Setting to work electrical systems on the Dreadnought submarines program.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
1/5
The work, which I was already employed to do before being entered onto the apprenticeship is good.
The HNC that I have been entered onto this program to complete is a waste of time.
The HNC that I have been entered onto this program to complete is a waste of time.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
We have done a lot of Fibre optic testing in the last 12 months where my knowledge was limited. In-house training courses have developed my skills in this area.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
The apprenticeship program, poor.
The skills coach side of the program provided by Blackpool college is pointless.
The skills coach side of the program provided by Blackpool college is pointless.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Employer support is good. My line manager is very supportive of anyone that wants to engage in future learning.
The college I have to attend is 2 hours drive away, and the company provide a bus service for us to attend.
The college I have to attend is 2 hours drive away, and the company provide a bus service for us to attend.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
The tutoring in two of the four modules I have taken so far has been awful, with barely any guidance. Some of the lessons have felt like it is the first time they are seeing the material they are trying to present to us.
The other two have been great and provide lots of help and clearly have a vast knowledge on the topics and how to deliver the material.
The other two have been great and provide lots of help and clearly have a vast knowledge on the topics and how to deliver the material.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
No improvement at the moment. Gaining the qualification for me has always been to prove that I have the knowledge, I feel like I already have the base that this will give me, but I will now have a recognised qualification rather than just on the job knowledge. It will hopefully give me more confidence to trust in myself.
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
They are available for those who wish to attend. I have two young children and my free time is limited so I only attend something like this that is really important to me.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The business as a whole is good to its employees, with many employee services and benefits. I have personally used the Employee Assistance Program when I have had difficult times outside of work that has helped me grow as a person.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Prepare yourself for "competency based" interview style questions. When i had my first interview I was not aware of this style and it caught me out.
