Project Management Higher Apprentice Review

I am a Project management trainee working in the Submarines sector of BAE. This involves me moving around the business in orderto assist with various project management roles. In project controls I support Control Account managers, to manage budgets and booking codes using spreadsheets and other software. I have also worked in GFA (Government Furnished/Funded Assets) which involved running reports and establishing design criterias for my work in the design and build of gauges as past of the Successor Gigs and Rigs team.

I have developed my technical skills as I am now more competant using office packages such as excel and project. I have improved my self confidence and presentation skills by runnning meetings and pitching for lead roles in projects. I have also improved my teamwork and people manaagement skills by leading a team of 6 people to plan and deliver a week of induction for new starts, and learning how to deal with a variety of people as the registrations lead for a charity football tournament wich involves the registration and management of 256 people.

I enjoy coming to work as it is interesting and you get to work in a unique business as well as in lots of different areas of the business which helps you to understand more of how the business works and also establish a better idea of which role would best suit you once you finish the 3 year scheme.

Overall I feel valued as an employee, however sometimes this varies depending on the work load in my placement and the restriction on overtime which makes you feel segregated from the rest of the workforce who have this readily accessible.

Overall the scheme has a clear structure that is set out from the start and easy to follow, however on a couple of occassions communication could have been improved between ealy careers and the trainees. The issue usually ocrs when it is not business as usual and the trainees are doing something different such as going to a conference/going away for meetings as it alters hours and pay and this has caused issues in the past.

I think I have had a good amount of support from my training provider as I have been on a number of courses and my Placement Points of contact have been on hand to assist me if I have had issues or questions. This was also the case for other team leaders who were happy to help me gain a better understanding of thier work by allowing me to sit with them and ask questions with regards to what they do and how that impacts on the rest of the business.

My employer has sent me on a few courses that they say necessary to attend however I would like to have more say on the courses I attend and be allowed to take area specific courses at the start of each new placement to help me further improve my skills in that area and be a more useful member of the project team.

My salary means that I can live off what I earn whilst also saving some money which is benificial when looking to save up for your own house, as well as being able to fund my excisting lifestyle. The salary increases based on progress is a good incentive and the new system of pay rises will work well.

Other than work I also assist and run Stretch assignmens which allows me to give back to the community and business by working with local schools, members of the company and people new to the business. I have worked school open days, careers fair and am project lead for Induction Week 2016 and Registrations lead for the annual charity football tournament in aid of Help for Heroes.

Yes

I enjoy work and think you would struggle to find a job in such a large, growing business that is willing to offer you a competative salary, a degree and 3-5 years of hands on work experience working to build a uniques product that will be helping to protect the country.

Do your research into the business and how it impacts the local area. Show willingness to learn and don't be affraid to talk about the skills you have learnt and developed both in and out of school and how you will be able to apply them into a work situation.