Assistant Project Manager Review

Working on large data centre projects on behalf of the client. Day to day roles include setting up meetings, creating regular progress reports, stakeholder engagement, risk management, liaising with design teams to ensure client requirements have been incorporated, creating project programmes showing project timescales, advising clients on decisions required to progress to the next phase of projects.

Yes, I knew nothing about project management when I first started my apprenticeship and now after finishing my degree and working towards my professional chartership as part of my EPA I am in a very good position to be able gain the chartership due to all the knowledge and skills I have gained.

I have enjoyed the work element of the apprenticeship being able to work on some very exciting projects with some interesting clients. It has given me some great opportunities to develop my network and take part in exciting opportunities such as travel around the country and speak at conferences/ events.

The EPA has not been well integrated in to my apprenticeship so after finishing the degree it has been stressful to try and prepare to sit the EPA. The degree did not align with any of the EPA competencies directly so has made it more difficult to prepare for it.

I receive a lot of support from the colleagues who I work closely with, they give me good opportunities to learn more about projects. Colleagues are also very understanding about the need for a study day and that I have no prior knowledge so are willing to give me time to learn and understand the role.

The training provider gave me sufficient support for the degree but have given very little support for the EPA but any support given has not been productive.

I think it has given me a good background in to the role I do, but many modules of the degree were not up to date based on current experiences I was having at work. Often the lecturers did not have recent project experience so were not up to date with current policies and processes.

Various social activities are organised on an office wide basis which are great to get to know colleagues. Only some team events are organised due to colleagues being spread across a range of locations. Sports events are available but I have never been involved. Within my specific industry there are various networking/ conference style events available for me to attend.

Yes

Arcadis are a very friendly company and the majority of colleagues are willing and happy to help you learn specifically as an apprentice. They provide some fantastic opportunities on interesting projects that not many other companies can provide. With a good cohort of apprentices it helps to improve the experience as you are able to share experiences with each other helping to motivate each other.

Research Arcadis and understand their core values to ensure these align with your own values. It is important to understand the apprenticeship scheme and everything required for you to complete your apprenticeship as it is hard work but also very rewarding in the long run.