project controls and management apprentice Review

I am a project controls apprentice at MBDA UK, day-to-day i am at work surrounded by colleagues in a lively environment completing challenging project controls tasks such as developing P6 plans for the project. MBDA offers their apprentices a lot of responsibility while maintaining a reputation of always being supportive when needed. For a company so large, one would expect to get 'lost in the crowd' but I can honestly say that I have never met anyone at MBDA who feels as though they don't get the praise or support they deserve.

Aside from job role specific skills such as P6 training, SAP development and furthering my knowledge of excel, being a company with so many responsibilities in the wider community has developed my stake holder management abilities and sympathy/empathy skills. MBDA are always willing to further your learning and development, I have seen this through internal courses, college and university support as well as allowing you to go to our international sites in order to nurture our interest in our company.

I love coming to work, I look forward to walking in the morning to see my team as everyone is always so lovely and supportive. Coffee breaks are a key social aspect within MBDA and they truly do help to create strong bonds. I am able to develop my learning without feeling overwhelmed and they value on-the-job learning which works perfectly for me.

MBDA is a large company, therefore structured processes are to be expected but for such a large company to be able to follow these process and organisational structures is impressive. We have a matrix management system which ensures your success on the project and in the wider business are most monitored and recognised.

As said before, as an apprentice we receive all the support we require the second we require it but are also given to space to move outside of our comfort side to expand our abilities and knowledge without having it done for us. The apprentice HR team will always support with your general enquires and I have had many meetings with my head of function who will make time to talk to me regardless of our 'status' within MBDA

Unfortunately, this is MBDA's first year using LSP College so the communication system hasn't been fully established yet. LSP can sometimes forget we also have full time jobs and treat us as students, not their learners but MBDA has tried to rectify this issue by creating a student rep meeting monthly where we can discuss any issues which they can then pass on to the college

We study a lot of project controls aspects such as cost controlling and communication plans which transfers to our day job allowing us to already have an in-depth understanding of roles from project to project

MBDA has over 200 social clubs that everyone is able to join as well as frequent networking events for Early Careers People to be able to meet their colleagues and peers. We also hold 'roadshows' on various areas of the business to introduce you to new prospects within MBDA or just to expand your knowledge of the company; at these roadshows will be ECPs from those areas, regular employees and executives to represent each level within MBDA

Yes

It's like having a large family that you get to work with every day. My fellow apprentices and graduates have already become my closest friends with whom I know I can rely on for anything, we have been allowed to build such strong bonds and networks around the company. This extends to managers and HR advisors, never have I been told that someone doesn't have the time to speak with me. They provide responsibility, support, opportunities and career prospect to each and every apprentice

MBDA hires for attitude, and they train you for skill. As an apprentice they don't expect you to know anything, it's their job to nurture and teach you in order that you then learn; but having the right personality for our community is vital in maintaining that lovely feeling of support within MBDA, so be yourself and let your personality and attitude get you the job. If they didn't want personality, they would build a robot for the job!