Procurement and Supply Chain Engineer Apprentice Lv 6 Yr 1 Review

Item: Procurement and Supply Chain Engineer Apprentice Lv 6 Yr 1 at BAE Systems
Rating: 4
Author: Anonymous

at BAE Systems

Degree Apprenticeship

Procurement

Samlesbury

Review Submitted: February 2026

Overall Rating

4 /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!

4/5 - Overview of Role

4/5 - Skills Development

4/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

4/5

I work within the Airframe sector of the Air Procurement branch in Raw Materials. My main job is to source the metals for the new Tempest Programme. I receive ad-hoc requests from our Planning Team to go and obtain quote's for them to consider. I also hold 2 supplier meetings a week and take part in many others to keep track of logistics and lead time to keep the Planning Team firmly up to date.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

4/5

I enjoy my role massively as I have a good balance of independence and working with my line manager and team to complete day to day tasks. My team is very supportive and has been ever since I started. It helped that I had an avid interest in the sector anyway before starting with the organisation. Speaking with suppliers and fostering those relationships whilst networking and branching out to various members of the organisation on a readily basis is something I have been familiar with in previous roles which OI very much enjoy.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

My new role has enhanced and developed my interpersonal and communications skills. It has also given me license to lead more meetings than my previous role and given me more freedom to tailor are working RFI trackers to how I work. Additionally, I would say I have become more humble and a better listener. Being 6 years into my previous role I knew it was going to be tough moving into another sector starting out again in early careers. However, I haven't regretted my choices once. Alongside my role I have also learnt new skills on my Supply Chain and Management Degree lectures and through assignments. Elements of warehousing, transport and various health and safety modules were all completely new to me and have helped me shape my understanding of my day to day role in the workplace.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

4/5

Since the start of my apprenticeship the course has been very well structured. We are wholly aware of where to obtain the relevant support in early careers and there is always communication between ourselves and skills coaches through quarterly reviews. In addition to that, there are engagement sessions put on quarterly to bring all the early careers together for a couple of hours which I always find hugely beneficial as it allows us to share stories and catch up with how everybody else is finding it.
More information could be put across and clarified in terms of our pay increases and how bonuses effect apprentices as I feel our cohort are always deliberating about whether we are entitled to receive such payments.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

4/5

My line manager and my team leader are very supportive. They are always there to assist with any queries I may have but also have the confidence in me to go about my role and deliver. The wider team and even my bigger bosses have also made time for me when I have asked to chat about further opportunities. There is a sense of team when you are on site.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

4/5

The lecturers on my scheme have been very helpful. They have also delivered the lectures in an engaging manner which is always beneficial to the learner. They always allow time at the end of lectures for any questions which is also much appreciated by the group. In terms of the mentor we have at university, he is also helpful when needed. Albeit, we don't communicate that often. That is no sleight on him but with myself being older and having been in the working environment for well over 10 years, I feel I have that sense of maturity to be more independent.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

4/5

I do feel the qualification supplements our role. Although there have been elements within the module that you may never have direct employment in, it is always nice to understand the wider logistic routes and how they could effect your role in Procurement. I do feel that the health and safety module has been an eye opener and I am much more vigilant now on site.

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

We receive correspondence from the comms team all the time regarding charity events, socials and networking. These are e-mailed out to all colleagues and gives an easy access point to sign up. Within are internal team, we always make the most of birthdays and we always go out for Christmas lunch to celebrate.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?

Yes

Why?

1. Work/life balance is absolutely spot on
2. The pay is very competitive
3. It is a great and thriving environment to work in
4. Loads of opportunity to progress and move around the organisation
5. The job itself is very interesting and you will never stop learning