Project Management Trainee Review

In my role I am able to go around the business and take part in different roles within project management. This incluldes such areas as planning, project controls, improvement programmes, strategy and my current placement of risk and opportunity. In my current role I am able to review risks, put in meetings with subject matter experts to discuss mitigating actions for the risks. I am also able to using analysing tools to analyse the risks for other reviews that are taking part across the business. I really enjoy this role and feel it is able to stretch

I have learnt and developed many skills whilst on the scheme. I have learnt how to management my time well, being able to fit both work and college work into my week, both in and out of work. I have found this very useful as it helps me to keep calm at busy times, such as when exams are. It has also helped me to built up my confidence, I have learnt how to speak to different people and when to give people different information. It has also helped me with other various skills in project management, such as using the various systems that are used across the busienss as well as producing various metrics. Although there are times were I feel my skills could have been stretched more, the quality of the skills I have learnt has been a fantastic help in my day to day work.

I really enjoy the programme I am on, as you get to go around the different parts of the business I am able to learn alot of new knowlegde which I feel is something that cannot be done in a 'normal' job. I feel good having a knowlegde in many different areas, not only this, the programme has allowed me to make some good freinds through a good social system between the different apprenticeships. When joining this is something I was worried about missing this as part of not going to university. Due to these different things I am extremely happy with the programme.

I feel very vauled by BAE systems. The company provide projects to have our own areas of responsilbilty which could be given to anyone in the business but is given to apprentices to give them a change to challenge themselevs. There are award nights to award the hardwork put in by people throughout the time on the schemes as well as different awards that can be had througout the scheme. I feel this is a good point in the scheme and it is very well reconised throughout the business.

The programme is well organised, with 12 week reviews happening to track progress in the training as well as 6 month reviews to track progress in all other areas. Although these can get moved about alot. The general structure is in place.

There is a lot of support you can recieve from the training provider, you are able to ask questions which can be answered induvidually or as a group. It is very easy to contact them, either by email or phonecall.I have used this a few times with queries and found it very useful everytime, espcailly if there are questions that come up a lot which can be discussed as a group.

There is a lot of support from the employer, when we first join the business we are provided with: A buddy- someone who is already on the scheme which various questions can be asked A mentor- someone who is more expirenced in the busienss who can answer more general questions and help with your overall career. Not only this but throughout the scheme there are other various people who can help: Placement manager- can help with any queries about work or other opportunities where development can be found or to get more stretching tasks. Early Careers managers- these can help with more general support about the scheme/ overtime/ holiday queries and who are very helpful There is also a disipline manager who can answer more general queries about the function we are in. I feel there is no more support the employer can offer as they have already provided everything they possibly could

I feel the wage we get is very reasonable, looking at similiar courses around the area it is of the higher end of them. There is also the chance to increase it every 6 months which is also a good incentive. I feel I am never in financial difficulty and is helping me save up for future things such as a house.

There are a number of opportunities outside of work, these give us a chance to lead our own projects and do taks which we may not nessecarily get in work. I find these extremely benefical, one I was involved with was helping to organise a charity trip to Tanzania which involved a lot of fundraising, talking to people, which is something I have not always been confident with and teamwork. All of these areas are things I am able to bring back to the workplace. There are many others I have also been involved with which have helped with such things as planning, talking to senior members of the business, working with childern, learning about engineering and interviews.

Yes

Yes and I already have. I feel being able to work on the job, whilst learning is brilliant and cannot be mirrored in the university environment which is another option that could have been carried out instead of the scheme. With being able to be in other areas of the business you gain a vast knowlegde of the overall business and can use this to your advantage in the future on such things as CV's.

To be yourself and to think about what you want to do in the future. To seriously concider an apprenticeship as another option rather than going to university.To not let others influence your decision and look at every option available, this was not always the thing I espired to be, but as time goes on I could not be more greatful for the opportunity.