Project Management Apprentice Review

I'm always getting involved in general PM activities. As I've spent longer at the business I really do garner more respect and responsibility from my placement managers where I'm no longer just running spread sheets but actually running £m project's. This can will include, change mgmt., schedule creation, risk mgmt, stakeholder mgmt etc.

I personally did not know a whole lot about the PM topic, the skills required to be a manager and the activities involved. So everything I have learnt as part of my scheme has been either new or insightful in some way, and can always be applied to what I'm doing.

The scheme is enjoyable at allowing a diverse range of enjoyable opportunities to all of those involved. However the amount of opportunities' to do different thing that are granted are not always equal and can make people feel looked over. All-in-all it is enjoyable, it all relies on making the most of it and finding your own opportunities.

The relationships between placement and functional management works very well, and again allows apprentices to have two managers each looking at a different part of your course, but can then also lead to two contradicting views. However the organisation of the education provider is rather poor and can often lead you confused.

Placement manager good, functional manager bad. The EC department can often be overwhelmed by the amount of apprentices there are and can result in you being over looked. It is often whoever shouts the loudest or moans the most is heard, creating a really bad environment. The issue with this is that the placement manager isn't with you the entire time your at the business but your EC one is.

As mentioned previously, their organisation and co-ordination is sometimes really poor. Whilst the lecturer will often do all they can to help, the college is at times really lacking and often leaves you scratching your head when all you want is help and guidance. This is the last thing you want when you're juggling work and learning.

Whilst it isn't always the most efficient, if you overlook the bad things, the content and the qualification are extremely good and relevant. It provides topics you are working on and will work on in the future, allowing for a fantastic classroom and work place learning combination which really provides meaningful knowledge.

There are a wide range, but often they aren't communicated very well. If you want to find these you really need to go out and look for them as the can often get forgotten about. But they are diverse and there is something for everyone if you're able to find it.

Yes

Because of the people you work with on a daily basis. Whilst EC and the college can often leave you feel isolated, the actual people you work with on a daily basis are fantastic and genuinely clever. The best thing about this is that all they want you to do is learn and are always willing to share information, they really are brilliant.

Please whatever you do, read up on the PM topic and read up on the business. During interviews the managers really aren't scary and the questions are very open and easy to answer. However the amount of people apply to do PM at a large defence company but no nothing about the topic or what a 'ship' is, can be rather embarrassing.