EDUCATION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
HOW A BAE SYSTEMS APPRENTICESHIP IGNITES CAREER LIFT OFF Helping a young person take their next steps? With today’ s competitive job market, you may not be aware that they could secure three to four years’ worth of vital industry experience, develop a wealth of critical skills and gain an internationally recognised qualification – all while earning a full-time wage.
BAE Systems in Rochester has a thriving apprenticeship programme, offering a practical alternative to university education. Crucially, apprentices learn from the ground up and collaborate with experienced engineers as they work towards becoming a fully qualified software engineer, hardware engineer or engineering technician.
What’ s more, there’ s no need to search for a job after completing the apprenticeship as they’ ll be given the opportunity to stay on at the company should they pass their assessments.
Test systems technician Anais completed the technical apprenticeship almost two years ago and has since stayed on with the company.
“ My apprenticeship enabled me to learn hands-on from experienced engineers. I learned a lot about electronics and gained a BTEC and HNC in Advanced Manufacturing in Engineering, while applying my learning every day,” she says.“ I hope to gain more knowledge in my field, work my way up and become a fully fledged engineer.”
BAE Systems’ apprentices also benefit from working on several placements within the business, gaining exposure to different projects, products and business areas.
They’ ll get to work on exciting technology from day one, such as augmented reality displays, control sticks and flight-control computers for pilots. They’ ll get to see how this technology makes a difference to people in the real world and they’ ll benefit from working with the company’ s customers, partners and suppliers.
Those who opt for the software engineering or hardware engineering apprenticeship will even receive a bachelor’ s degree at the end of the course.
What’ s more, opportunities for career growth don’ t stop at the apprenticeship. Those who perform well can access further development and, depending on the role, there may even be the chance for international travel and secondments. In addition, many of the company’ s senior leaders started out as apprentices.
BAE Systems’ apprentices have access to flexible working, a company contributed
Share Incentive Plan and a competitive pension scheme, as well as an employee assistance programme, employee discounts and an enhanced annual leave allowance. They also have access to social opportunities such as theatre trips, sports clubs and gaming clubs.
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