Choosing what to do after you leave school isn’t always straightforward – there’s a lot to think about and it’s normal to feel unsure about the next step. For me, becoming a BAE Systems apprentice straight after my GCSEs was definitely the right choice.
Since starting my apprenticeship, I’ve learnt practical skills such as soldering, wiring and fault finding. I came to BAE Systems with no coding experience, but from day one I’ve been exposed to a range of programming languages and given the support I need to learn and perform my role.
Working at BAE Systems also provides me flexibility with my hours of work, which helps me maintain an active lifestyle.
If you’re considering an apprenticeship, know that the more you put in, the more you’ll get out of it. You’ll benefit from learning new skills, gaining knowledge and making connections with lots of different people. You’ll also get to work on a variety of products and projects, rather than being limited to one specific area of work.Emily - Technical Apprentice
My apprenticeship has enabled me to explore different areas of the business and get a feel for what I might like to do in the future. I’ve had the chance to work on our maritime controls programme, which is part of one of our nation’s biggest defence projects.
Looking ahead I plan to gain my Higher National Certificate (HNC) and then hopefully doing a degree, which all being well, the company will support me to do. I’d also love to mentor future apprentices and supervise placements, as well as getting involved with new projects across the business.
This is my BAE Systems story, find yours by joining today.