Combat Systems Graduate Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Glasgow
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
3.8 /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
3/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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
Combat Systems Apprentice who works alongside other engineers and helps them with engineering tasks to learn about the company and shipbuilding, and the combat systems used on ship, how they are designed and installed etc.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
It is a good programme to be in, but there is not enough support from managers in terms of guidance or expectation of work, and t s difficult to link with university work based learning tasks as the nature of the job does not reflect the type of work we are expected to be able to have exposure to and complete for university.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have learnt lots of new skills in engineering processes and physical technical skills through learning different software and systems. I have developed my communication and problem solving skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
the programme is well structured, placement lengths are appropriate and for the most part tie in with uni pretty well.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Support is always readily available, with multiple routes available to seek help and advice, and it is encouraged not to stay silent about anything. During day to day work however, it would be beneficial to receive more support and guidance from our placement managers on what they expect from us and to provide us with opportunities to learn and understand what is being asked of us, especially when faced with something new or unfamiliar.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The university is good at providing support, and making us aware of the different options in which we can seek it, with a work-based learning advisor available to contact for work based learning submissions, and lecturers have posted forums on their module pages and are available to email too.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Most of the content we are learning right now isn't entirely relevant to the work we're doing in our placement, although the knowledge is useful and is good to better understand the bigger picture of engineering within the business. In terms of my performance however, I wouldn't say that university helps me perform better.
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
There are plenty of Employee connect groups, councils, ambassador work, etc, to get involved in to broaden your horizons, and there are some unofficial work sports groups which meet up outside working hours to connect with each other
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a good company to work for, with good career prospects and lots of different roles to get involved in. It is very well suited to realistic lifestyles, with flexible shift times and sometimes options to work form home. There are also lots of learning and development opportunities, and the areas that the company work in are very niche but there are also broader areas to work in too.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Don't be afraid to try something new and step out of your comfort zone. BAE is a very inclusive and supportive company, yet no day is the same or is without its challenges.
Associate Project Management Apprentice
at BAE Systems
- Higher Level Apprenticeship
- Barrow-in-Furness
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