Aerospace Engineer Review

4 days a week, I am on placement gaining work experience and "learning on the job" in various placements that last 6 months each. So far, this experience has been a great way to learn different skills that the business and industry needs, from technical knowledge to administrative project management type tasks. The other day is spent at university (Blackpool and Fylde College), which is easily the only poor aspect of the degree apprenticeship, as assignments are changed weeks or even days before the due date, lessons are often delivered poorly, and there seems to be a feeling that the college is "making it up as they go along", with students needing to self-teach at home rather than in lessons. However, the rest of the scheme is great and more than makes up for the shortcomings of what B&FC is providing. I would recommend the apprenticeship due to how well organised the placements are within the company and the wide range of opportunities that BAE Systems provides whilst being an apprentice.

Everything on the BAE Systems side of the apprenticeship is very well organised, with clear processes that are followed closely when it comes to managing apprentices, however the organisation at the university is poor, due to assignments changing after they have been set, in class presentation slides not matching those that are uploaded online for revision, and lecturers often teaching inefficiently.

The support from BAE is great, with lots of contacts for support financially, mentally and professionally, with learner progress reviews every few months to ensure that apprentices are staying on track. This is very effective

The university offers little academic support (for assignments and clarity of knowledge etc.), and when it does it can be insufficient and often leaves you with more questions than you started with. Many students receive contradicting answers to the same questions, which further confuses students as it seems there is no correct way to complete the work.

I have learned infinitely more on placements within the business than at university, and I find that I can prepare much better for exams and assignments by watching free YouTube videos than learning from the classes.

Yes

The experience at work is great and I can't really think of anything to improve in terms of what BAE is providing, however the university needs some serious work.