BAE Systems Apprentices from Submarine Solution visit Eskdale
Date posted - 17 Nov 2010
First year BAE Systems apprentices from Submarine Solutions, Barrow came to The Outward Bound Trust’s Eskdale centre for a challenging five day programme. Arriving in two cohorts in September and October, their key objectives were to develop communication skills, practise and apply BAE ethical principles and values and develop awareness of safety and risk management practices. The course was also designed as an opportunity to capture and record evidence of two of their key skills – working with others and improving own learning and performance. The course also had some business-specific outcomes in mind, as the apprentices would be responsible for putting together some extremely sophisticated hardware for BAE Systems’ clients. Complicated stuff!
The programme allowed the participants to take on the challenge of an overnight expedition and for some, it was the longest time they had spent away from home. In spite of this, throughout each stage of the programme, the apprentices were innovative and full of creative ideas as to how to solve the challenges they were presented with, which included building their own raft and paddling across the lake. They demonstrated great determination, resilience and boldness in the face of challenging mountain climbs and pushed themselves to the limits of their ability.
Safety was, of course, paramount throughout the programme, with point of work risk assessments being carried out for every task. Each of the apprentices showed impressive levels of safety awareness in the way that they took account for their own and each other’s actions and were respectful and understanding of each member of their team.
End of course presentations brought the programme to a close and showed an honest reflection of each apprentice’s experience. To ensure that the participants felt supported and encouraged as they ‘got on board’ with BAE Submarine Solutions, the presentations were attended by senior managers from BAE Barrow.
On a personal note, the apprentices were, without exception, very genuine and motivated, showing tremendous character and humour in the face of pressure and challenge. I look forward to the opportunity of working with the new intake of BAE apprentices in the years ahead.
Sean Snow, Course Director
The Outward Bound Trust, Eskdale
