Project Management Higher Apprentice Review

My role includes daily takes such as reviewing documents to ensure information is robust before signing for endorsement, going on regular site visits to ensure our subcontractors are carrying out the necessary work to time and budget to maintain our project schedule and attending weekly update meetings to track the progress of the projects.

I have learnt many new soft skills including new IT skills - especially skills on excel. I have learnt and developed my communication skills and developed an understanding on the best ways to communicate with different stakeholders. I have learnt how to review important documents to ensure they are correct for sign off

I have enjoyed my time on the programme as I have had the opportunity to move around the business on 4 month placements and work in various areas of the business. I have networked with colleagues and formed good connections. However, many of my placements have lacked tangible work and I have been left feeling bored and 'in the way'.

The programme is very organised, consisting of 12 weekly reviews to track progress during apprenticeship and to ensure apprentice safeguarding is being undertaken. The programme is structured well, consisting of 4 monthly placement rotations for 3 years upon exiting into an exit role. We also have a PPOC to ensure placements are structured well.

We are extremely supported throughout our apprenticeship, especially by our dedicated early careers team. The early careers team ensures that we are thriving in our placements, and headed up a project called ALLright to promote mental health and wellbeing, which has proven significant in our early careers population. We receive a generous amount of support from them, but it would help if discipline managers would give us that support as well.

We receive very little support from our training provider when working towards our qualifications. We very rarely receive feedback on our assignments, and when we do it is lacking any constructive criticism for us to improve on in the future. Tutors simply read off a powerpoint presentation, and expect students to teach themselves and students feel like tutors simply cannot be bothered teaching. I have felt extremely let down by my training provider and it has impacted heavily on my apprenticeship.

My qualification teaches me the fundamentals of project management which helps me to implement it in my role. I am able to perform better in my role as I have a basic understanding of the academic literature that underpins it. I can pick up on work in my role much easier.

Through our early careers wellbeing project ALLright, there are many different extra curricular activities to get involved in which is promoted. We are able to get involved in yoga and meditation, and there is a running club which happens every week. We have an annual football tournament and plenty of teams which compete in the K2B. Many professional networking events happen throughout the year although these are usually not aimed at apprentices.

Yes

You will receive a structured apprenticeship scheme and have the opportunity to move around the business learning new skills and networking. You will form strong connections with people and have plenty of support given to you through a dedicated early careers team who have your best interests at heart. You will also receive a competitive salary.

My tips and advice would be to ensure your applications are thorough. Include any work experience, relevant or not, you many have undertaken which shows your ability to work independently and in a team. Be confident in yourself that you have the ability and skills to undertake a role here.