Yaamin is a Degree Engineering Apprentice at BAE Systems, based in Warton. Below, he shares with us his experience and learnings from his degree apprenticeship.
Tell us all about your degree engineering apprenticeship!
“I discovered BAE Systems through the Movement to Work scheme; participating in the programme was undoubtedly the catalyst which drove me to apply for a degree apprenticeship with the company.
Before this, I wasn’t sure what career path I wanted to follow, but after experiencing BAE Systems’ “A Day in the Life of an Engineer”, and with the support and guidance from the Movement to Work team, I was able to recognise my strengths and skills coincided with an engineer’s role profile.
Fast forward two years, and I am in my fourth placement at BAE Systems, working towards an engineering degree in aerospace. My apprenticeship allows me to work within a number of different engineering functions each year, and gives me the opportunity to work on a range of exciting projects and meet people from all across the organisation. It’s inspiring to see how our engineers approach challenges, and how they’re able to innovate capabilities to drive the company forwards.
I’m trusted to bring my own ideas to projects and I’m given an incredible amount of responsibility. I’m regularly pushed out of my comfort zone and get to think creatively about the newest technologies and developments in the aerospace industry. It also gives me the security of having my achievements underpinned by a formal, recognised qualification.
I’ve had exposure to opportunities that academic learning alone could not provide. I’ve been able to represent BAE Systems at exhibitions and conferences, speaking on a panel alongside industry leaders on the challenges we face in aerospace engineering. I was also invited to support a Prime Minister’s visit to our site at Warton, where we demonstrated some of the leading-edge digital technologies of the future.
To date, my apprenticeship has exceeded all of my expectations, and reaffirmed my reasons for joining BAE Systems in the first place. At a time of significant change across the geopolitical, societal and technological spectrums, I’m excited for the future as I continue to grow and thrive within the company.
My advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship with BAE Systems would be to be bold and have an open mind. Be prepared to step outside of your comfort zone to maximise every opportunity. BAE Systems have cultivated a great working environment, and providing you have enthusiasm, the drive to succeed and willingness to learn, an apprenticeship may be just for you!”
