Project Control Professional Review

My role is a project controller at BAE Systems. This job has core responsibilities of ensuring that cost, time, quality, and project scope requirements/goals are met. Day-to-day activities include scheduling, risk management, cost and spend analysis, raising purchase orders, and daily meetings with project managers and other important stakeholders of interest to the projects that I look after.

I have developed lots of new skills as well as the development of skills that I already had. I have leant how to manage risks and how to budget for the potential drawdown of a risk. I have learnt how to produce project schedules. And I can produce and present contract status reviews confidently. These all are great skills that I have learnt as well as practicing communication throughout these processes.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme that BAE Systems have put together. This is because I have learnt so much in a short space of time and the structure of the programme is very well organised. It consists of 5 different 1 year placements within the business, helping me to gain valuable experience.

The structure of the programme is very good. My programme is a 5 year long degree apprenticeship that merges both placement and degree study learning, helping me to develop into a great project controller. I have 5 different one year placements all within a different area of the business, helping me to gain valuable experience.

My employer, BAE Systems, always support the degree apprenticeship programme. I have a skills coach who is always there to answer and questions for me, or deal with any issues I have during my time on the apprenticeship scheme. BAE Systems offer lots of support outside of the apprenticeship scheme too including private health care and other great benefits.

I am completing a degree in Project Control which is an APM accredited degree. The sponsor is Lancaster University, however this is provided by Blackpool & The Fylde College. They provide support with assignments through the assistance of a HELMs team who provide great feedback on assignments and tell us how to improve in the future. The lecturers are above average too, however could be a bit better.

One module that I completed during my degree study at Blackpool & The Fylde College, was called 'The Principles & Planning of Project Control'. The assignment that we had to complete was a group project, where all project documentation had to be created as well as presented to a project sponsor and team. This practiced many of the skills and abilities that I need at work in my role as a project controller which really helped me to progress.

At BAE Systems, I believe that there may have been a football team and a cricket team before the Covid-19 Pandemic however I have not heard anything about these since then. This is something that I would like to get involved with, however the publicity of these is not great. In work, we have some quizzes and sometimes go out for meals after work.

Yes

The apprenticeship scheme is very organised and is very competitive, therefore, the salary is also a great addition. The working environment is good and the resources and amenities on-site for staff are brilliant. In addition, BAE Systems is a great place to work because the project are so interesting! Working on defence jet aircraft projects is very unique and a great opportunity.

One piece of advice that I would give to someone applying for a role at BAE Systems, would be to research the aircraft to a good standard before an interview, as well as having your own knowledge for the role that you apply for. Also, if you have any links to someone who already work at BAE Systems, ask them to be a reference as this will boost your chances of receiving an interview invite.