Supply Chain Business Degree Apprentice Review
at GE Aerospace
Degree Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
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!
1/5
-
Overview of Role
2/5
-
Skills Development
2.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
1/5
Depends on the rotation. Usually daily escalation meetings, supplier calls, cross functional meetings, supplier visits, lean workouts, problem solving issues. Transactions on ERP systems, supplier portals, internal supply chain systems.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
1/5
The programme itself lacks any structure, strategy or support when rotations dont help you develop. Even in extra enrichment a lot of it felt micro managed and didnt give us the ability to focus on what was the best developmentally for the apprentices. A lot of pressure was put on us to support younger years experiencing issues and after raising issues multiple times on management nothing was resolved and still remains the same. Even rolling off into a full time role there was no support from the programme.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
2/5
Yes - Problem solving, lean methodology, leadership, collaboration, various communication styles, self reflection, teamwork, resilience. But this depends on what rotation you get put in, some do not teach you many skills
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
There is no structure to the program anymore since the change in training provider. Its really unclear what the strategy is after asking this for the last few years. Many rotations do not have a clear structure on what skills they provide the apprentice and feedback is not gathered and taken onboard. The main issue is a lack of structure on rolling off the scheme into a full time role. We had no career touchpoints from management, no career preparation structure, no feedback on roles coming up and no support during the end point assessment and business project. Its clear there is no strategy after this has been 'in the works' for 2 years with no updates.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
Support is received from line managers in rotation but not from the apprentice lead.
We have raised multiple issues on rotations not adding value, training provider issues, structure of the scheme etc and never get any updates. Additionally during our roll off into full time roles we had no career touch points, discussions on upcoming roles, support prior to interviews or CV writing etc. We also had no support during our final business project and end point assessment.
Unfortunately it seems like the younger apprentices still lack support and get 10 minutes every 6 weeks as a touchpoint and dont get any attendance on reviews with the training provider from apprentice lead. Additionally, with the change to a new training provider multiple issues remain untouched from the apprentice lead.
We have raised multiple issues on rotations not adding value, training provider issues, structure of the scheme etc and never get any updates. Additionally during our roll off into full time roles we had no career touch points, discussions on upcoming roles, support prior to interviews or CV writing etc. We also had no support during our final business project and end point assessment.
Unfortunately it seems like the younger apprentices still lack support and get 10 minutes every 6 weeks as a touchpoint and dont get any attendance on reviews with the training provider from apprentice lead. Additionally, with the change to a new training provider multiple issues remain untouched from the apprentice lead.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Our training provider was great, so much support from our regular lecturer, but unfortunately this has now changed to a new training provider.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Its helped me consider different leadership styles, ways to approach situations, self-reflection strategies etc. I feel its helped me get ahead in my permanent role on the qualification applying to my job.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Yes lots of societies, engagement groups, apprentice socials, etc on site
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend GE Aerospace to a friend?
No
Why?
I could not in good faith recommend this apprenticeship based on current management, lack of strategy and support to the apprentices.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to GE Aerospace?
Research the company, its strategy, other apprenticeships and training schemes available. Also consider work experience to get a flavour of what the apprenticeship offers
