Project Management Trainee Review

My role is as a Project Management Trainee. This involves working in different placements around the business every 4 months meaning that day to day my role varies quite widely. Currently I am in planning which means day to day I am using the planning software, liaising with key individuals and building blocks and creating/ modifying basic schedules.

People skills are probably the skill I've improved on the most as you are having to work with, contact and get information from people you have never met or worked with before. I have also developed skills with software such as CAD and planning tools

Whilst at times it can be quite slow depending on your placement manager and how much work they'll give you overall it has been enjoyable and if you keep asking you will get work to do which makes the day go by a lot quicker

By the majority of people you are valued and given interesting work to do. However, sometimes you do get people who are unsure when you tell them you're just a trainee but you're normally given the opportunity to change this view and if you do well then you do feel valued

The programme is very structured and you do have a good network in Early Careers to support you should you need it. However the structure can be a negative and I'd prefer the apprenticeship to be slightly more flexible

There is a limited amount of support we receive from our training provider, mainly because we only see them once a week and they are not located nearby. This may become more of an issue later on in the scheme

There is a very good support network with in early careers where you always feel there is someone there to help should you have a problem. I have found that even if they are unsure on how to help initially they will get back to you after.

For the age we come on the scheme and because our overheads are very limited due to living at home, the salary is very reasonable and the option to enter on to a share scheme is very good aswell

There are many opportunities to get involved in "stretch" assignments which are activities eg: a charity football tournament which come outside of normal work and allow you to network, gain competencies and they are normally enjoyable as well.

Yes

Considering the alternative is to go to university and come out in a lot of debt, getting an apprenticeship at BAE Systems allows you to gain both a degree and real life work experience doing a variety of work whilst getting a reasonable salary. Therefore it is a no brainer to me

Research what you want to do as you don't want to be committing to working 5 days a week on something you have no interest in. Apart from that gain as much information as possible for when doing your application