Apprentice Project Manager Review

I am currently a Project Management Apprentice for TfL (Transport for London). My daily tasks consist of managing a multitude of projects from early design stages all the way to handover and closure stages. A big part of my job involves interacting with stakeholders from both within TfL and outside of TfL, for example external contractors. At this moment in time I am responsible for 2 relatively small projects that will both help to improve London's Transport Network Services.

I have grown in confidence massively since starting my apprenticeship, I am confident in my knowledge of Project Management but at the same time I am still learning new things every day that I come to work. I have done achieved many qualifications since starting my apprenticeship all of which have helped me to become a more rounded individual which is key for careers in Project Management. I have learnt so much about the importance of communication as this can ultimately make or a break any project. I am currently working towards my Level 4 Diploma in Project Management and my colleagues and I are already considering what qualifications to go for next to really improve our skills and widen our breadth of knowledge.

I enjoy my apprenticeship programme very much. I have yet to meet a person in my company who isn't fully supportive of apprentices and everyone is more than happy to share their knowledge and skills to help me and my colleagues improve. I have made friends on my apprenticeship that I will keep for life and we are all so grateful for the opportunity we have been given. If anything my apprenticeship has exceeded my expectations and I enjoy coming to work every day which I believe is a luxury that not many people have.

Everyone in TfL is very supportive for the apprenticeship schemes and what they stand for. I feel as though I am a valued and integral part of my team despite still being very new to this industry. Everyone within TfL encourages me to ask questions and they are always happy to help with any issue I am facing. I am very much involved in a wide breadth of work which is helping me massively to improve my skills and prepare me for me when I roll off into a Project Management Role.

Due to the size of TfL and the scale of the projects we work on sometimes thing can get a bit disorganised but the senior management are fully aware of this and from what I have seen they do an awful lot to try and keep everyone on track and working towards a common goal. In terms of support there are so many people within TfL that I can talk to if I ever need help with an issue whether that issue is work related or personal is irrelevant. From what I have see TfL does care about its staff and I believe a lot is done to show that.

My training provider for my apprenticeship is also very supportive of me. He is happy to help with any question I have regarding my apprenticeship and he has provided me with so many tools to help me pass my final exam and portfolio. Again, similar to my colleagues within TfL my training provider is also very good at helping me with any issues or questions that I have and I would never hesitate to go to him.

I have an overall apprentice manager as well as a placement manager on each of my 4 placements. They have always been nothing but supportive towards me and will encourage me to do any qualification or training that I can get my hands on they will give me to the tools to access those qualifications and pass with flying colours. Support is very easily accessed with my managers and I would never hesitate to go up to them and talk to them about and questions or issues I had.

I believe our salary is probably one the best for apprentices nationwide, I believe it is easily in the top 10% and I am hugely grateful for that. The salary combined with the benefits we get from TfL make life (for me specifically) relatively stress free and I don't believe I am ever massively struggling for money. This is for me specifically obviously as everyone is different with different outgoings and responsibilities but for me personally I think I am doing pretty well for myself.

TfL do encourage a lot of external activities, as their network is so huge and covers almost all of London there are always opportunities to visit a variety of places around London. There are company sports teams and company community groups all of which I believe are very helpful in building moral amongst team members and subsequently improving the efficiency of work done.

Yes

I was never entirely sold on attending University, I just didn't feel like it was for me and I didn't feel like I would achieve my maximum potential at university. However since joining TfL I really notice myself growing as a person, maturing, becoming more rounded and I simply love that feeling and I would recommend to anyone to join the apprenticeship I am currently on.

The application process is pretty straightforward, once you get to the interviews I would say it is best to be yourself as they are very good at seeing through people who are just saying what they think the interviewer wants to hear. I would say it is important to be 100% sure as this apprenticeship is 2 years long, others within TfL can be as long as 5 years and that is a long commitment. But I would say if you are lucky enough to be given an opportunity like this, grab it with two hands and run with it as it is definitely worth it.