Supply Chain Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Business Management, Business Operations, Market Research, Procurement, Project Management, Sales, Sustainability
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
3.4 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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:
4/5
Usually a fair variety in tasks to be done with varying levels of complexity. Sometimes can be difficult to get assistance when you get stuck as everyone is so busy.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Not what I wanted to do for a career but I chose better wages and worklife balance over "wanting" to work for this company. But does what it says on the tin!
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have had more opportunities to work on my public speaking and negotiation skills and they are putting me through the procurement/supply chain course so learning lots there.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
Very poor communication between the three parties. BAE, CIPS and ourselves. Everyone seems to have a different understanding of how we achieve our qualifications and what is expected of us and when. Has been very disheartening and stressful at times and seems to have barely been solved by this point for our particular year. We are all limping over the finish line slowly now though.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
There is always usually someone on the other end of a phone or email. But not always in good time or with an answer.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
CIPS have been generally okay in terms of getting in contact with them but they seem to have different understandings of the processes and deadlines depending who you speak to.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
We have apparently been quite rushed through, CIPS expected us all to be doing our EPA around Feb 2026 when we have only been on the apprenticeship for about 1.5y out of the 3 BAE seemed to expect. Meaning we all rushed doing our KSBS etc then when BAE realised what was happening they stopped us going through EPA and we are all now a bit staggered as to when we go into EPA.
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
Lots of STRETCH activities to participate communicated to us in a few ways but easy enough to find yourself day to day. None work activities are advertised in a few different places.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
If they can get straight in for a job rather than going through an apprentice route then yes the age and work life balance is better than the vast majority of jobs. I would caution them against the apprenticeship without thinking carefully however as it is quite stressful when you also trying to maintain a mortgage etc
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
try and get a referral from a friend already in there.
Graduate Aerospace Integration Engineer
at BAE Systems
- Graduate Scheme
- Prestwick, Ayrshire and Arran
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4.5
