Project Management Apprentice Review

i am currently in a risk practitioner role so I carry out risk reviews, update risk registers and formulate reports. This involved me liaising with contractors as well as sellafield staff. A lot of computer based work as I working primarily on excel but there is a coded programme which is crossfunctional through Microsoft programme which helps me to make the reports. I also work in a system call ARM which Is where I input risks and monitor them

I have learnt many new skills as I came into the role completely fresh with no prior experience, I have also expanded my Microsoft skills as I use this set of programmes the majority of time at work. I have also had to get used to using ARM as a new user, this meant I had to learn how to use specialist software to fulfil my role

for the first three years I didn't feel like I enjoyed my apprenticeship as much as I could. I struggled to gain valuable experience in the work place but as I came into my last year and I got to choose what I wanted to do it was better

Structure and organisation was poor, I felt like I wasn't listened too when I came to the training department with problems in my job and views about 'good' and 'bad' placements were not listened to. There were learning opportunities to be had from other students coming from placements which would have meant others would have had more of an enjoyable experience but that was not utilised meaning the same mistakes of sending someone where there was no work happened again and again

I get a lot of support from my current line manager who is not related to the apprenticeship, but from the apprenticeship training I do not feel like I receive any support at all. There were points where more support would have been appreciated (around uni deadlines) where it would have been beneficial to half dedicated time in work to complete the university work which other schemes in the business get

They chase to see if we are going to meet deadlines but any more support than that I do not feel like I get any. I personally didn't feel like they were particularly concerned with us excelling as long as we were passing the basic pass mark criteria. More encouragement and support during exam times etc would have been welcomed

as I am going into a risk role rather than project management I feel like it doesn't help me a lot but in a project management perspective it does help. I have also been given the opportunity to complete more risk based training which has helped me greatly in the role I have chosen to pursue when leaving the apprenticeship

There are many events such as STEM event, project management forums and also chances to go to lunchtime lectures delivered by different professionals in varying industries. There is only the women in nuclear network which I have joined which again gives the opportunity to go to conferences as well as have mentors and attend different talks during lunch hours

Yes

although I have not had the greatest experience when doing my apprenticeship I do enjoy working for the company as a whole and am excited to progress in my career through the company. There are many opportunities through out the company to change career path and explore new skills which you may not have in other smaller companies

use mentors as much as possible and gain as many contacts in different areas, the business is changing and will continue to change so you must keep up with the changes and adapt working styles to suit. It is important to gain as many skills as you can early on in your career as it makes it easier to progress and gain opportunities