Project Delivery Review

I currently work in a Programme support office in a governance and assurance role. I attend many programme and project level meetings, often helping with papers and outcome notes for those meetings. I have been involved with the governance process in which projects come to the programme board for approval. Soon I will begin working in more of a project role, so that I can develop more project delivery skills. I am also leading on a piece of work for my department's Governance and Controls Community, which involves facilitating a Knowledge Hub group, organising meetings, leading a team of facilitators, and liaising with many civil servants of all grades. I also have many opportunities on an ad-hoc basis, such as jobshadowing, helping out at marketing events, and attending training courses.Every day presents a different opportunity and a variety of tasks.

I have developed many existing skills, such as verbal and written communicaation skills. I feel that I have gained confidence and learned more about who I am as a person. I have had the oppportunity to attend a Knowledge Hub training day in London, which enabled me to use this professional social networking tool in my daily job. There has also been opportunities to attend masterclasses at my workplace which help me develop skills in areas such as risk management. Then, through my learning programme, I am learning new project delivery skills and will continue to build on these throughout my apprenticeship. My line manager and the team I am in have been really supportive and have given me lots of opportunities for learning and development.

I am so pleased that I joined this apprenticeship. The Civil Service is a vibrant, diverse, and supportive place in which to work. I work in a really great time who have taken the time to introduce me to working as a Civil Servant and my line manager has been really patient in teaching me new skills and giving me a host of opportunities. The learning side of my programme is delivered by a great provider, N:Gaged, and I am really impressed with the way they deliver their learning sessions. The learning side has exceeded my expectations so far.

The Civil Service is a great employer to work for. They seem genuuinely interested in building the capability of their people, so they really invest in learning and development. I feel that they are giving me a fantastic opportunity as an apprentice to really progress my career in the Civil Service. They are a very diverse work force and it is a very supportive environment. My line manager has also been really supportive, and I am really grateful for his input into my apprenticeship. He has ensured that I have work to do and opportunities to take hold of. Our regular 1-2-1 discussions ensure that I am happy at work, by recognising achievements and looking at opportunities for development.

The recruitment and induction process could have been more organised. However, once I was in my team and the learning had started, the programme became more structured and I was able to settle in better and know where I belonged.

My training provider, N:Gaged, have been excellent so far. They have a fantastic support team who can help care for your needs - academically, mentally, emotionally, and physically. They make sure you receive help when you need it and their regular coaching sessions help prevent stress and make sure everything is okay at work, at home, and with studying. They are really easy to get hold of and really friendly, caring, and helpful.

My manager is really supportive. We have regular catch ups to ensure that I am happy at work. Also, I know that I can speak to him on an ad-hoc basis if something is bothering me. In my manager's absence, I know others in my team who I can go to, and in fact they are all supportive. I have good access to support teams, mentors and apprenticeship networks. Also, within my Department, there is a central support team whom I know will help solve any queries I may have with the programme, HR issues, etc.

I receive an excellent salary as an apprentice with the Civil Service. It is much higher than many other schemes. This provides adequately for my living (board), travel (car loan, petrol, and parking) and other general daily costs. My salary also covers social costs, which is great if I want to travel or go out with friends, etc.

There are many volunteering opportunities to get involved in with the Civil Service. In addition, I am able to help out at marketing events as an ambassador to promote the apprenticeship scheme. The location I work at is excellent - the building has a good leisure centre and I am close to the city centre, so I enjoy the opportunity to enjoy my surroundings on my lunch break.

Yes

It is a fantastic apprenticeship scheme with a head start into a career and so much scope for development. I really enjoy working for the Civil Service as I feel that I am making a difference in the UK today. It is a very satisfying job and the learning programme is exciting. The excellent salary and pension scheme also helps!

Have plenty of patience when going through the application process. It may take a while but it will be worth it in the end. Prepare for the online tests that are part of the application - you can practice them (I didn't realise you could at the time!). Also, prepare for the assessment day, learn the competencies that are sent out with the briefing pack. Read plenty of case studies and blog posts that are on the apprenticeship website to gain more understanding of the programme. If you're successful, make the absolute most that you can of the apprenticeship. Take hold of as many opportunities as you can. Find people to jobshadow. Build networks with other apprentices. Simply, enjoy it, and make a difference in the UK today.