Systems Apprentice Review
at Thales
Degree Apprenticeship
Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Engineering
Reading
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
4.9 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
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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:
5/5
I work as a systems engineer specialising in electrical and electronics tasks. Day-to-day varies a lot but I often work on systems level testing for hardware and software, this includes documentation reports and write-ups. I also complete other tasks as and when requested which can very from drawing modifications, document creation within the Systems V-Model, and testing as previously mentioned.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have been very fortunate in the role I received at Thales, there is a great support network around me who are always will to help progress my learning and engineering skills to the next level. I have a consistent amount of meaningful work and feel a sense of worth in the workplace.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
With my role being an apprenticeship, I am constantly learning and developing my engineering and professional skills. This is achieved either through my University course at LSBU, through workplace training modules, or new work based tasks. There is plenty of support in the Future Talent society through our managers as well as other apprentices who are always willing to help each other through learning. The project I am assigned to have also been extremely keen in involving me in as much work as possible to help my learning and spend exceptional amounts of time out of their days to help me and other apprentices wherever possible.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The overall structure of the apprentice/graduate scheme is very good, there is plenty of support when joining including a big induction week event to help everyone get settled and meet their fellow colleagues. Starting the first full week of work allowed me to meet my managers and discuss the plan for the first two years of projects that I will be assigned too. These first two years were great and allowed me to meet with plenty of Thales employees who could help develop my skills. After the two years elapsed there was no concrete plans for projects I would be assigned too, I have been lucky enough to settle in well with the second year project so remained with them but that may not always be the case for all apprentices. This feedback has been given to the Future Talent team as well as my managers and this is to be improved throughout future cohorts which is great to hear. Overall though the Future Talent programmes are very well organised and have plenty of support available for any and all issues.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Whether it be directly through my project or my manager in the Future Talent team, I received endless amounts of support in my role. This could be to request more work in specific topics to help with learning, support for ongoing tasks that I am struggling with, or support for my professional career. Having monthly meetings with both managers to catch-up on all my work helps to keep me on track with all learnings and plans for future work for the next couple months.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
LSBU provide the training for the apprenticeship degree for Electrical and Electronics Engineering which is a part time course over 4 years. Throughout my time at LSBU the support the lecturers and technicians have provided in helping my achieve good grades over all modules has been great. I have always found that all training material provided, additional reading material, and additional support through online meetings or email support has always been available and extremely helpful whenever I have required it.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
As my role is Systems based and my University course is Electrical and Electronics based, it's not always the case that I will be working on tasks that are relevant to my University learnings. However, when they do crop up or I request specific electronics based tasks the learnings I have received from University have been very helpful and have allowed me to have meaningful conversations with Thales engineers and learn real-world examples of the University learnings.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
As part of the Future Talent cohort, I get involved in Future Talent events at the Reading site which involves all other apprentices/graduates from all sectors including Engineering, Manufacturing and Cyber. These events that happen monthly or so are a great way to meet fellow apprentices and create a welcoming atmosphere. These events can range from anything including social activities in Reading town centre, Go-Karting, climbing, pub quiz nights, coffee mornings and much more. There is also plenty of support to complete Volunteering throughout the year, especially in the first two years of an apprenticeship/graduate course. This volunteering can be used for plenty of activities including fund raising, school career events, and anything else that people want to get involved in. This large emphasis on volunteering provides apprentices/graduates with plenty of opportunities to get involved in the local community and allow us to give something back with the full support of the workplace.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Thales to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Specifically for graduate/apprenticeship roles but even for full time roles, I have found Thales to be an exceptional employer who are always willing to provide support to it's employees and provide a great platform to grow and learn. I have found great worth in the work I have been assigned which makes me enjoy coming into work. There is endless amounts of support within the workplace to help you along the engineering path you wish to take, which is provided by many engineers and people in vastly different roles who are always willing to help.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Thales?
Highlighting relevant work previously undertaken that is relevant to the role being applied for, whether in another job or in personal learning, is absolutely worth including no matter how small. Even if there are skills you currently don't have related to the Thales role, showing interest in learning and being keen to improve these skills by undertaking certain training will show your enthusiasm for the role and prove you want the role.
