Project Management Apprentice Review

As a project management apprentice, we move around to different business areas every 6 months. This provides apprentices with a great deal of variety in their day-to-day roles, all of which are focused on the successful delivery of projects in the nuclear industry. I currently have experience in project management, project controls, risk management and construction, commissioning and pre-operations; all thanks to the amazing placements I have had as part of my apprenticeship.

Communication is vital in project management. Whilst being on this apprenticeship, it is a requirement to speak to various levels of management within the organisation. I therefore feel as though I have developed my skills in communication. Other skills include; time management and the development of technical knowledge and understanding relating to both project management and the nuclear industry.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my apprenticeship right from the very beginning. As with most apprenticeships, there can be busy periods and ones that are not so busy. But this is in line with the project that you are supporting. I have enjoyed the opportunity of meeting various people from across the business that I can now contact in the future should I require information or support.

As there are so many project management apprentices that are required to have 6 different placements across their apprenticeship there is a large amount of organisation required from the apprentice team. The programme is well structured and organised as we also regularly attend training courses and have day release for university attendance.

The apprentice team are regularly in contact while you are out on placement and hold reviews to check that everything is going okay. The main source of support is from within the placement itself. All the placements I have been in, I have been immediately welcomed and felt as though I was part of the team from the very start. I feel confident enough to ask questions and ask for support from my colleagues.

Whilst completing the Level 4 project management qualification I had weekly meetings with the training provider. As well as asking about my learning, they also checked that I was working in a safe and appropriate environment. Gen II also organised and provided us with an additional month of training which involved the development of knowledge and understanding in technical areas, such as mechanical, electrical and welding in order to support our project management career.

My qualification required me to acquire a range of knowledge and skills around project management. This pushed me to go that little step further in each of my placements to ensure I acquired the skills and knowledge through the experiences in my placement and the support from my employer helped me in getting a distinction in my qualification from my training provider.

My employer has enrolled me as a member of the APM (Association for Project Management), this membership allows me to attend professional events with like-minded people from the profession. This also supports me in my career development. Sellafield also regularly holds project management forums, this is a day to meet and discuss Learning from Experience from across the organisation in order to improve our project management practice.

Yes

Working at Sellafield is an amazing opportunity, especially as an apprentice. My apprenticeship has allowed me to develop both my professional and personal skills in what feels like a community environment rather than just a large organisation. It is a large support network through which I have been able to complete my apprenticeship.

It is an interesting organisation to be a part of. If I was offering advice to those applying to the same apprenticeship as myself I would say it is vital to research the company and find out what you can about what Sellafield is and does on a daily basis. Not just to focus on project management on a wider scale.