Meet Adam, a Change and Training graduate based at Portsmouth Naval Base. Adam joined BAE Systems in January 2023, after previously working in retail banking for 11 years after graduating from Oxford Brookes.
I’m a Change and Training Management Professional, and my role is in two parts. I facilitate all types of system related training for new starters and existing staff. This includes 1-1 training, a virtual session with multiple attendees or face to face classroom based training. We are also on hand for on the spot help should someone have any system related problems.
The second part is to support any systems related change that might have training requirements. For example, new system functionality may require communications to be written and sent, quick reference guides produced or training delivered.
I wasn’t actively looking for a new job, but at the same time wasn’t satisfied in my current job. I had a desire to move on within my company and a desire to move into a change related role but this wasn’t possible for various reasons.
My wife actually works for BAE Systems and found this role, she sent it to me knowing it was an area of interest for me – this was the nudge I needed to consider my career outside banking and make the decision to change.
My initial thoughts were whether or not I was allowed to apply for the graduate role since I left university 10 plus years ago. But also having a mortgage and a young family I was worried about the financial implications of going from an experienced role to a graduate programme.
But after being assured I could apply for the position, and importantly the pay was not only enough to maintain my current personal life, but was actually higher than I was already receiving.
Having now entered the company I’m very pleased to be on the graduate programme as you get a lot of support and consideration from the business.
There’s so much support given to you, from a buddy in the business, through personal effectiveness training to stretch assignments. The programme gives you so much opportunity to be the best you can be.
I have a buddy in my area of the business that was available to me before I started the role. This was particularly useful so I could ask questions about unknown elements of BAE Systems. I still meet with my buddy regularly to chat about how things are going.
You also get personal effectiveness training. This is bespoke, away from the day job training sessions to make you think about yourself and your development. I’ve found these very useful in terms of setting myself up for success.
I’ve yet to meet anyone in BAE Systems who has been unwilling to help if I reach out, there is a great culture of support and help for anyone joining the business, graduate or not and setting the realistic expectation that it will take you time to understand this complex and interesting business.
So far I’ve been involved in two very different stretch assignments.
I’m working as a project manager on a performance management training intervention looking to influence how we approach 121’s and performance conversations. This has definitely been outside my comfort zone and is teaching me skills that I wouldn’t otherwise gain.
I’m also using my contacts in banking to run a finance seminar for new graduates that will focus on elements of finance that could support in current difficult financial times and also set up good financial habits like saving and preparing for mortgage applications. This is something I’m really passionate about so am really pleased that BAE Systems have supported me in initiating this project.
In my day to day role this hasn’t made any difference at all as I’m in an established role with real responsibilities, much like an experienced role.
In terms of the graduate experience, there’s lots of graduate based events, socials and meetings that sometimes have a younger feel. At my stage in life with a family and young children it isn’t in my interest to get involved in some of these – but this wasn’t an important part of joining the grad programme to me and it hasn’t been negative in any way. In another way, I have experience and knowledge that graduates straight out of university don’t and I found I’ve been able to bring this to discussions and conversations and really add value to others.
I’d definitely recommend the graduate programme at BAE Systems and I’ve been continually impressed with the level of support offered within it and the level of consideration in the business for grads.
I was reluctant to change careers as I felt comfortable where I was and saw it as a risk to change, not knowing what I was getting into. However having done so I would not look back and actually wish I’d done it earlier. It’s much more rewarding doing something I’m interested in and learning new skills.
