Apprentice Project Manager Review

On a day to day basis, I communicate with my team, I respond to emails, I manage projects through to completion - these projects are typically around content creation and recruitment drives. I manage relationships across the whole of Toyota GB, including working with retailers on a daily basis, I create monthly reports, I travel all across the UK with project work (having just been to Scotland), and much much more. I get to try a large variety of things which I am so grateful for, and I have learnt and developed so much since joining the business.

I have learnt and developed every single skill that a Project Manager requires, around communication, governance, stakeholder management, performance tracking, budget management, and more. I have also become much more confident, and have been given many opportunities to be creative and take my own approach to tasks, which has developed my decision making skills and belief in myself.

I enjoy my programme so much. I genuinely think there is no better place in the UK for me to gain this experience. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity, and it has been a great kickstart to a hopefully long career.

My programme is structured decently, with the material being broken down into courses and assignments which must all be complete to be successful in the course. There is overlap between the courses, but this is usually pretty manageable. There are also tripartite reviews, which take place every couple of months where I can access support and check in with my University Representative. From Toyota's side, it is almost perfect however.

I receive no end of support from my employer. Firstly there are incredible benefits with working with Toyota, the company really looks after you. My employer and my manager also appreciate that Uni always comes ahead of Toyota work, and so I am always given ample time to complete my expected uni work per week.

There is a decent amount of support received from the University, with the bi-monthly check ins and support sessions where I can reach out for help. There is also email addresses and numbers I can call for further support. The communication at times however is relatively poor.

My qualification is directly linked to my role, as they are the same thing. Everything I have learnt so far on the courses has been relevant and greatly beneficial to my role. I am trying to absorb all the information to take it into work, and I am getting there, though there is so much information!

At my workplace there are so many activities to get involved in. For example weekly football, and this week I am attending an international women's day event. We have a Social Club that employees can sign up to, and there are so many things to get up to, like a yearly ski trip!

Yes

TGB is one of the best companies a person can work for in my opinion. When people come here, they stay for a very long time, and there is good reason for that. As employees you are very well looked after. There are amazing benefits, and it feel great to work for an industry leading company, that you can genuinely believe in.

Be confident, curious, and be ready to learn. The culture of Toyota is deep, and incredible. There is a lot to learn and absorb, so you must be up to the task, and embed yourself in the 'Toyota Way', to be truly successful. The best thing you can be is curious in all things, and show your drive and engagement through confidence.