Project Management Higher Apprentice Review

My role is a Project Management Higher Apprentice. I work within a team called Project Controls and my day to day role as an apprentice includes spending a 3 month placement in each team and learning fundamental skills such as estimating, cost engineering, planning, change and governance and risk. All of these are very important to know if you wish to have a good solid foundation of knowledge of project management in the engineering/construction industry. I have been able to go out to national Grid site with meetings with contractors and have my own input into the meeting. This a great for confidence building as it feels like you are adding value and not just doing mundane tasks.

Yes my background is in electrical engineering, that is one of the reason I chose National Grid and because I work in Project Controls I have had the opportunity to develop my technical knowledge of the assets National Grid manage. Not only electrical but I have also improved my project management skills - Inc. planning, risk management, cost engineering, estimating, change and governance. These areas I have been able to work in for my day to day role, but as part of the apprenticeship I have also studied and passed the APM PMQ level 4 qualification which is an internationally recognised project management qualification.

I believe applying for National Grid was the best decision I have made for my career. It meets the path that I wanted to take in my career so I was lucky that I found this programme. My background is electrical engineering and I wanted to get into project management so on paper this was the perfect opportunity. I didn't have a degree when I applied so this was the path I had to take but I don't regret my decision to not go to university. I enjoy the programme I have had an excellent apprenticeship and I have already plans to study extra qualifications after my apprenticeship finishes.

I feel much appreciated by National Grid. I have been given recognition when I have done well from my managers and colleagues. I have become more confident in my role my managers and colleagues have seen this and had they too has the confidence to give me more and important work to take ownership of. I am running my own project and I still haven't finished my apprenticeship.

My programme is structured very well. From day one I was given an apprentice plan of what placements, extra courses and dates of the apprenticeship so I haven't had any issues on that front. When I started in each placement I was assigned a placement manager from that team who was well experienced and gave me objectives to complete during each placement. I was also asked what I wanted to get out of each placement so I also had the opportunity to learn extra that maybe wasn't originally covered.

I have received fantastic support from my training provider. During my apprenticeship they understood that I was new to this type of working environment I was a bit concerned at first if my interpersonal and business skills was lacking but they have assigned a number of courses for me that have significantly helped me in both of these areas. Again, the support has been brilliant any issues or concerns have been dealt with very well.

I can't say enough how much support I have received from my employer. Since I started on day one everyone and I mean everyone has been incredibly supportive. My managers and colleagues have all been supportive, whether it has been for my day to day role, my qualification or extra courses I have wanted to study I have always been given the guidance and support I have needed. And in turn that has only helped with great feedback on my performance throughout my apprenticeship.

The salary is excellent for an apprentice. I started on £23.5k and will finish on just under £30k. It covers all of my living, travel, daily and social costs so I don't have any issues living the lifestyle that I want. I get an excellent wage, a degree level qualification and a job at the end of it with no DEBT! The salary package and added bonuses for performance are fantastic.

There are plenty of opportunities outside of work at National Grid. As a new starter we are automatically enrolled onto a social group called Newnet which gives the opportunity to attend talks from different areas around the business but to also go out and visit site's that National Grid own or are involved in. For instance, I have been able to visit a Nuclear power station and the new London underground HV cable system, both were fantastic experiences. I also have done a number of volunteering events which have included attending career events for schools and colleges and helping young people with career advice and talking to them about National Grid. I haven't been involved but I know there are a number of sports and social events held outside of work for National Grid employees.

Yes

National Grid is a fantastic company to work at. I have enjoyed it since day one and learn't an incredible amount. The support, opportunities and career progression at National Grid is endless. Iv'e made some great friends here and the working environment is a good energy to be working in. If you are willing to put the effort in then the rewards are very good for you at National Grid. It is a company that isn't well known for what they do but they are actually very important and make a big difference to people's lives and it's good to be a apart of that.

If you wanted to apply for National Grid the best pieces of advice I could give to really understand actually what national Grid do as a business and learn the national Grid values and see if this is the type of company you would enjoy working at and feel like you could add value. The application process may have changed since I applied I think it's now situational judgement tests and verbal, numeracy and abstract reasoning tests. But the assessment day will include a 1-1 interview asking you a number of competency based questions (look at the STAR method to answer these). Followed by a group test to test your team work skills and then a presentation.