Business Management Project Assistant Review

My role in PMO is to provide support, governance, and controls for an overall project. What this involves varries on a day to day basis but most days will involve at least one conference call where I may or may not have to activlely participate, replying to general email enquires, and keeping things like action logs up to date.

I have learnt how to use Microsoft Outlook and Lloyds Change Management Tool kit (CMT) as well as many other things like using conference call facilities and Microsoft Office Live Meeting. I have developed skills like comunication skills, confidence, and time management.

I do enjoy the oppertunities this programme brings, both in terms of career progression and in terms of the things that we get to do through working for LBG like traveling and volunteering days. The tasks that I get involved with are often interesting and challenging which, once they are achieved means I enjoy the job more. Meeting and socialising with my fellow apprentices is also something that makes the programme enjoyable. Some tasks can sometimes be slightly boring though and also the pressure of the enviroment sometimes detracts from my enjoyment of the programme.

I feel like I am occasionally adding value to my team in the tasks that I am completing, and I feel like we as apprentices are valued as an investment for the future. However, currently I feel like I am not skilled enough to add really value to my team on a day to day basis. Hopefully this will change as I progress through the program.

The apprenticeship itself seems well structured with specific dates given for webinars, workshops, and exam days and the assossors are usually clear with what they are expecting regarding evidence submissions. The work based side of it could be more structured though, especially when we first started as it seemed that there was no work for us to do and most people seemed to busy to spend time showing us things.

The support I recieve from the training provider is good. I have their contact details to ask them questions and they always respond in a timely manner. Contact with them is often few and far between but it is generally enough to get what I need.

My employer, particularly my line manager and my immediate team, are always very supportive and my line manager goes out of her way to accomodate my apprenticeship work and supports this. I am sure that if I ever went to them with a problem they would be happy to help me out.

My salary is good, and I believe well above average for most apprentices. It covers my costs well while I am commuting in on the train, however it probably wouldn't cover actually living close to where I work and so I am stuck with a 2 hour comute. I cannot complain about this though as my salary and package is extremely good compared to the very poor pay that a lot of other non LBG apprentices get in this country.

There are limited oppertunities outside of work at LBG, but we regualarly do 'side of the desk' things like volunteering and fundraising events as part of work. The apprentices do events and social meets outside of work that we organise ourselves.

Yes

The oppertunities for career progression are extremly good and the types of jobs you can go into are varied so you are likely to find something you have a strength for. The pay and benifits package is also good, and the working environment is genrally friendly and supportive.

I would research the group before you apply to make sure you know about their brands and their vision as that is something that they centre how we work around and they will look for you to have knowledge of these in your application and at interview. I would also think about what qualities you have and how they could add to a team you might be working in within LBG.