Project Management Higher Apprentice Review

I am a project management higher apprentice within the project controls sector of capital delivery. I assist each team in there day to day activities. I interact with a variety of different members of the team to ensure I complete the tasks given from writing reports with OBIEE software tool to planning projects using the P6 planning software to estimating the cost of projects using the ecipse estimating software.. I also interact with a variety of stake holders on the scheme to ensure I get the results required.

While on the apprenticeship I am studying for a level four diploma in project management. It has enabled me to gain an understanding on the different aspects of project management and how it can relate to the business area of which I work in. I have also undertaken a variety of internal training that varies from effective writing to developing a resilient mindset. Each training course has enabled me to learn things about myself and ways of working that I did not know before. I have developed team working through going on an outward bound course which incorporated all team members and we had to solve problems.

I extremely enjoy my programme the benefits and oppurtunities you get through working at national grid are amazng. The team does not make you feel left out and they incorporate you straight away on day to day activities. This enables you to fit straight into the business and not feel like an outsider. The company culture is professional but also relaxed at times so you can have a laugh with others. It met my expectation greatly because I thought I would be mixed into the big business and not recognized but instead I am recognized for all the right reasons and made part of the team.

I feel I really am a valued member of the team while working for project controls at national great. My manager notices a lot of the things I do and I get praise for how I am performing within the business. I also get internal recognition because if members of the team did not think I was a valued member they wouldn't be giving me work to do and would just leave me to get on. They involve me on a lot of the big tasks of which we have going on at the moment.

My programme had a fantastic induction. After our assesement centre we had a welcome day where we met other member of the team and also other apprentices who were in the same postion. We had a four week training induction which enabled us to fit into the business and learn about the company/ our department before we went into the office. Our manager also let us have time to study for are diploma while completing work set in the office. They help us to manage are workload a lot. We have regular meetings with all of our managers so they can see how we are getting on. we regularly go on training courses to broaden our knowledge about the company.

We get regular visits from our training provider and we also have performance reviews where they analyse are progress to ensure we are doing well. We can also reach them on the phone or via email. If they don't answer straight away we always know they will get back to us as soon as they can. They are always willing to help us no matter what the issue may be work related or not. They have a really positive attitude towards helping us.

We get regular visits from our line managers and we also have performance reviews where they analyse are progress to ensure we are doing well and ensure we have work to be getting on with. We can also reach them on the phone or via email. If they don't answer straight away we always know they will get back to us as soon as they can. They are always willing to help us no matter what the issue may be work related or not. They have a really positive attitude towards helping us. Are managers are on the same floorplate so we can speak to them at any time with any issue.

Having the living wage has had a massive impact on me. It has enabled me to move out of home. At 18 moving away is very daunting with having a low income at times however being on the living wage has enabled me to move out and live independently so early. Not only this but I am able to pay my rent/ bills and also have money left to put into a help to buy ISA for when I want to look at buying a house. I can also afford to spend money on luxury items. I would not be able to do this if I was not on the living wage. When applying for the job I noticed that I would have to relocate, for me this was daunting until I noticed the salary that NG were offering even though I was an apprentice. I knew the opportunity’s that came from working at NG where phenomenal and I knew it would be a good company to work for so I did not want to relocation to stop me from doing this. If I was not offered the living wage I would not have been able to work for a fantastic company due to not being able to afford to relocate. Not only this but I can now use this money to get a reliable vehicle for travelling to and from work and also travelling home. The living wage means I have been able to mature and be more independent quicker then what most 18 year olds would.

There are a huge amount of activities in work of which we can get involved it whether it be careers fairs big bang theories or expeditions about project controls. This opportunities enables you to network with other people within the team and broaden your surroundings while in the business. It enables you to be more confident with talking to others and making them aware of the scheme. National Grid also has a variety of sports teams of which people can get involved in and represent the company.

Yes

National grid has some fantastic oppurtunies of which you are able to get along with. Not only this but they have a fantastic salary of which enables you to have many benefits whether that be a new car or wanting to start saving for a house. National Grid has a variety of different departments of which you could branch into around the company. National grid enables you to carry on studying while getting on the job experience to. It enables you to network with others and make new friends/ colleagues while at work

When completing the application process I would ensure that you sell yourself so the company can see your attributes. This can then be related to while in the interview stage because you can talk about your attributes and use them to your advantage. I would ensure you learn about the company before the assessment Centre or any interviews so that you can link your experience to national grid and how it will benefit the company if you were part of your team.