Level 4 Manufacturing Engineer Technician Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, Manufacturing
Samlesbury, Preston
Review Submitted: March 2026
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!
3/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
1.4/5
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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:
3/5
The overall role of Man Eng results in areas such design, BLS, Continuous Improvement, Testing, machining, planning and Electrics. The opportunity can be broad. The opportunity to work with actual aircraft is highly slim. I will be the only one out of a group of 6 over a 4 year period to see and work with an actual live aircraft. This is an opportunity that should be default and should be pushed for an apprentice to experience or at least similar higher profile workplace opportunities
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Pretty average. No good opportunities such as working away with work. Placements are pretty basic other than 1 pretty good and interesting placement on average. Live in the shadow of other programmes. Might as well do degree or settle for level 3. No opportunity to go abroad with company and have tours and visits to RAF bases like other programmes do
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Gained a larger understanding on how engineering is completed and the process that comes with it. Confidence and professionalism has grown in a positive way
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
Pretty bad. Placements are all over the place as in not telling you into a week before in some cases. No say on where you can go and experience next. New capabilities pushed on us for our last placement, resulting in a loss of experience and opportunity for some. Work isnt getting marked. 1 more placement left and i am not even 50% signed off for my end point assessment. Opportunity to meet criteria has shortened because of this.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
Personally i feel i get more support form the people on placement rather than those who are actually in charge such as early careers. Support can be given but is very rare. With issues i tend to resort to my placement manager for guidance and advice.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
Requested maths help and never got it, regardless i completed my level 4 qualification with the necessary qualifications needed and help from tutors was valuable, although more support/help could have been given
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
Hardly has an effect other than the basics. I have learnt considerably more on placement than i have through my qualification.
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
Apprentice set up opportunities. Only spread through word of mouth however. My cohort don't get the opportunity to go to professional networking events as they seem to only send and give the degree lot the opportunity. Off the job opportunites do get pushed on us however, this is a good way to meet new apprentices.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Seriously great career to have and the opportunities that come with are unmatched. With my opinion being an apprentice, it hasn't been amazing and the highlights of being an apprentice have come from being on placement. I am looking forward to coming out of my time and getting stuck into career opportunities
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Dont bother with the level 4 Man Eng programme, might as well choose level 3 Man Eng. Learn as much as you can from those within the business and take every opportunity that comes towards you. Get to know apprentices and find ways to get to know people in your own ways as this opportunity will hardly get pushed onto you
Associate Project Management Apprentice
at BAE Systems
- Higher Level Apprenticeship
- Barrow-in-Furness
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4
