Project Management Apprentice Review

My role is diverse. I form a part of an integrated project team, working alongside project professionals. I am given tasks to complete based Upon project demands. I participate in stakeholder management, meeting a range of individuals on a daily basis. I work with contractors and internal colleagues alike. General duties include arranging meetings, providing meeting admin, meeting stakeholders, progressing tasks, participating in reviews, networking, job walk downs and travelling to offsite offices

My new skills include scope management, being aware of scope creep and how to use change management procedures so manage change. I have developed my confidence in speaking to large groups through attending presentation classes and getting the opportunity to speak to large teams I have developed my organisational skills through arranging large event attendeds by senior managers.

I enjoy the variety of experiences the scheme has to offer. We move placements every 6 months and this gives us the opportunity to meet new people and form new working relationships. The training we receive is excellent. Completing a foundation degree alongside the level 4 qualification is challenging but also beneficial to our learning. We get to experience such a wide variety of projects it’s excellent in developing our knowledge and understanding.

The scheme is supported by a number of Individuals who are there to support ya through the process. We have an apprentice structure which is defined from day 1 and lasts for the entire 4 years. We have placement reviews to assess how we are progressing in placement and this benefits both us as the learner and the people in the placement who are providing us with the opportunities.

We have placement reviews to check how we are getting on in placement. Placement managers are on the whole good at providing support to learners by giving them tasks which will stretch us and develop our knowledge and understanding. I am fortunate to have worked in teams where a lot of them were apprentices at the beginning of their career and are therefore happy to support the next generation of learners.

We do not receive any study leave which is a massive negative for the amount of time which is required to complete university work. Working full time, completing a level 4 qualification and completing a foundation degree is a lot to handle. Especially for people who have families, responsibilities etc. I have sometimes felt under immense stress to perform well at work as well as achieving good marks in my assignments.

Some aspects are helpful. However not all of the learning alignes to what we learn in the workplace. This has lead to us often having to learn things twice. However, the basic principles are applicable across most of the profession and understanding the theory well helps to achieve a good application of it in the real world.

We are discouraged from attending too many extra events so that we don’t take on too much. The apprenticeship is already quite demanding and requires strict time management to get things done on time. Any social activities are arranged by the apprentices ourselves and offer and opportunity for us to meet up, share experiences and get to know one another. The company provides little extra cirricualr opportunities

Yes

The variety of opportunities are imense. Working alongside nuclear professionals who have decades of experience is an excellent environment to work in as you can access all the knowledge from the people you are sat next too. The type of projects undertaken on site are incredible. The attention to detail is amazing and it’s incredibly motivational to myself as a learner.

Try to carry out as much research on the company as you can ahead of any interview. Having a good understanding of the company shows that you are keen to learn. Try to speak to other apprentices to get a feel for their experiences as speaking to people and developing networking skills is a key positive attiribute for an individual to possess.