Earn A Degree And Learn On The Job

Each year, BAE Systems in Rochester recruits around 15 engineering technician apprentices. Having expanded their apprenticeship offering in recent years to include degree-level apprenticeships in software engineering and hardware engineering, there are more options than ever for young people to learn on the job from experienced engineers and gain a recognised qualification, while earning a competitive salary.

Meet Ethan, an apprentice software engineer, who began a university degree and decided to try a degree apprenticeship at BAE Systems instead.

“I had some experience in programming and wanted to discover my area of specialism while learning on the job. I think an apprenticeship is a great way to do that,” said Ethan. “I’d previously had work experience at BAE Systems and found that everyone was friendly and willing to share their knowledge. I thought it would be a good place to develop my skills.”

Now a second-year apprentice, Ethan has found that his initial impression of the company has been confirmed.

“As an apprentice, I’ve had the opportunity to explore different areas of software engineering, from testing and IT to research & development. My favourite placement so far has been test systems, as it’s the meeting point between hardware and software and plays to my strengths and interests,” added Ethan. “I’m enjoying my apprenticeship. Although I commute from London, the journey isn’t too bad and I take advantage of social activities around our university sessions. I’m looking forward to working on our maritime controls programme next and growing my career at BAE Systems.”

With applications for apprenticeships having recently opened, there’s never been a better time to explore opportunities at BAE Systems.

And for undergraduates, opportunities include 12-week summer internships and one-year industrial placements, in addition to fully-fledged graduate roles. Emergent engineers could find themselves in hardware, mechanical, systems or software engineering disciplines, and more.

To learn more about apprenticeships, internships and graduate programs at BAE Systems, visit: www.baesystems.com/earlycareers.