Luke is in his third year as a Project Management Higher Apprentice with BAE Systems. Currently working in the Combat Systems part of the business, Luke is delighted to have just completed the foundation degree level of his course and reflects on how much he has learned and the opportunities an apprenticeship gives you.
“I first found out about BAE Systems when researching UK companies who provide Higher Apprenticeships. I always knew an apprenticeship was the way I wanted to learn – studying whilst being hands-on within a business.”
It has to be the work we did to support our presence at the international trade show in London, DSEI (Defence & Security Equipment International). I remember walking around the show thinking “This is so cool and surreal! I’m an island boy, so what we do blows my mind!
Luke, Apprentice, Naval Ships
Inspired by his Dad’s jewellery manufacturing business in Bali, where Luke grew up and where he worked for several months after leaving school, he was keen to study Project Management. “I loved my time working with my Dad in his business and it sparked my interest in getting to know all the different aspects and workings of a business.”
After finishing boarding school in England, Luke applied to the BAE Systems Higher Apprenticeship scheme and has enjoyed two different placements so far in the business. “My current placement in the Autonomy team of Combat Systems is definitely my favourite. I still can’t believe how much I have learned in this last eight months in particular. The engineers I work with are brilliant – the more they explain, the more I know and learn, the more personal it feels and the more invested I am in what we are doing.”
As a Project Management Higher Apprentice, Luke’s responsibilities include drafting project proposals, costing effort and materials, risk recording and monitoring and managing key project monitors and stakeholders. Luke’s exceptional work in supporting the Autonomy team recently won him a Student of the Year Award from the Association for Project Management.
Luke’s time as a Higher Apprentice has been a busy one but he is clear on the highlight so far: “It has to be the work we did to support our presence at the international trade show in London, DSEI (Defence & Security Equipment International). I remember walking around the show thinking “This is so cool and surreal! I’m an island boy, so what we do blows my mind!”
Luke has two years left of his Higher Apprenticeship and starts the next phase, his Batchelor of Arts Honours degree in Portsmouth University this September. “Its hard work but I can’t wait to see how I develop even more in my career and see where the profession takes me. I am going to continue to take every opportunity to learn, be involved and speak to people.”
“I tell everyone, all my friends, even the ones currently at university, to get yourselves on an apprenticeship course! They are such a great way to learn. I feel so fortunate to be part of BAE Systems, it’s a really big organisation, but whatever you are interested in you are guaranteed to find something that will interest you here!”
