Apprentice Project Manager Review

Project Management apprenticeship. " year programme with 4 6month placements. Placements vary across TfL including London Underground and Surface Transport. I am currently working in Road Space Management Sponsorship team, the projects involve Cycle Superhighway schemes and Better/Safer Junction improvements. I am currently working on Cycle superhighway 9 and I am helping to facilitate an upcoming public consultation. This involves speaking with various departments to ensure consultation materials are delivered on time. In addition to this I have been drafting consultation text that will be published in explaining the aims/objectives of the project.

I am working towards my Level 4 Higher Project Management qualification, as part of my apprenticeship. Substation Access training for London Underground Active Risk Manager training for risk management at TfL Pathway Foundation training - the project management methodology at TfL Improved skills using Microsoft Office e.g excel

I thoroughly enjoy the Project Management apprenticeship at TfL. Each team I have worked with have been very accommodating and willing to help/teach. I really like the variance in work and that no day is ever really the same. TfL is a great company to work for and I would highly recommend it.

I feel valued by TfL. They show an enormous commitment to apprentices and really encourage your career. All the managers I have experienced show appreciation for your work and get you involved from the beginning.

I would say that all aspects of the programme are well structured. All external college weeks and exams are informed and put into your calendar from the beginning of the scheme. There are clear dates of when each placement will start and end and the expectations of when work needs to be completed. I felt they are very accommodating with allowing time for college/studying and are usually supportive. They do have a mentor system, however that is left up to us to organise. They focus on Start of placement, mid placement and end of placement reviews with the HR apprentice manager, your current line manager and QA who deliver the qualification.

We have an allocated assessor from QA who we can email/ring for support questions. They are usually reasonably good at being available, however this could be improved. As there are 12 apprentices on this one course (and the assessor will have others in different parts of the country) it may be beneficial to have two assessors allocated to the TfL course.

I have experienced great support from everyone I have dealt with at TfL. All three line managers I have had have been extremely accommodating in getting the right balance between on the job work and college work and have always been on hand to help.

TfL pay London Living Wage which covers my outgoings with a little to spare. It is ok but not ideal, however I appreciate other apprentices are paid much less. We also have the great benefit of free TfL service travel across the network so travel cost nothing. This helps massively, otherwise I would have very little left of my salary.

I would say there are some opportunities for outside of work, but not a great deal.

Yes

They have a wide range of apprenticeships to suit all and its a great alternative to university. They are very supportive in your career and provide a range of extra development/training opportunities. They pay well for an apprenticeship and have good benefits.

Starts with an online application, if you meet the criteria you will be invited to complete series of online tests, which include basic GCSE maths and verbal reasoning etc. If you pass these and meet the threshold you will be invited to an assessment half day which will involve a 2-1 interview and a group exercise. I would say make sure you research the company and know the basics of the way they work.