Project Assistant Review

I assist the Project Manager in preparation of contract documentation, meeting minutes and liaise with clients and the wider project team across construction phases.

Personally, interacting with peers and my initial development was enjoyable. However now, the lack of organisational support, lack of project opportunities outside of London, minimal communication from the Emerging talent and unfair apprentice treatment makes me feel isolated and demotivated. Thus, I do not enjoy the majority of our programme.

We have apprentice development days every couple of months however compared to our first-year it doesn't seem that the organisation is there. UCEM's university programme is the best support area and provides great structure on the other hand.

The Emerging Talent team are uncontactable, they don't provide any substantial support when an apprentice is facing difficulties within their projects. Regionally, many apprentices have now left the business (I look to do the same), their feedback from these situations isn't really noted nor acted upon to make improvements. Mace take in a huge influx of apprentices and graduates but don't even have the space on projects for them to actually learn - leaving the majority with little to no work.

UCEM have been great in providing academic support with assignments and RICS workshop for the end of your apprenticeships. They are always available to support and keep regular contact to check our progress. They are also great in providing options when an individual is unhappy in their current position.

No

The lack of support many of us have had when dealing with difficult and non-empathetic management is extremely concerning. I've been made to feel small, inferior to higher ups with 'actual' expertise and clients and teams don't understand that as an apprentice we are still in that learning phase. Salary reviews across apprentices are massively imbalanced.

If you're outside of London I would seriously suggest reconsidering whether Mace and the project opportunities they provide are the correct fit for you. The Consult engine is manageable but the Construct engine hold extremely toxic dynamics with again numerous apprentices leaving the business due to this. The reduced diversity and majority white aspect of Construct has created a culture of superiority and lack of understanding of others' beliefs and overall no empathy has already meant again many apprentices have left Mace to work somewhere they are appreciated.