Apprentice Project Manager Review

I am currently a projects assistant in Insurance Business Change under LBG transformation. This involves working on projects aiming to create change for the Insurance division. I am on a legal & regulatory project where all data within the Group needs to be mapped to the new EU standard for when Brexit occurs. The day to day role may include shadowing BA's and PM's, scheduling or leading meetings and calls, meeting with SME's to map data or working with IT to upload it. Then there is constant governance all the way through to monitor progress.

I have learnt lots of new terminology. I also know how to use software such as CMT and MSP which are essential to the role. There are constant opportunities to learn new skills in small and large ways. My Microsoft skills in excel and PowerPoint have also developed hugely from just the basics.

I enjoy my programme hugely, it gives me a purpose each day and experience in the real world with many different stakeholder audiences. I get to earn and learn!

I feel like LBG care immensely about their LBG emerging talent, there is a lot of weight in our title rather than being looked down or treated like interns. We have a lot of responsibility and are trusted in the role with so many willing and helpful colleagues around, and loads of opportunity to expand our learning.

In my particular division we have a different, and older, system in practices. Resources are divided up by location and then skill preference then this breaks down into teams.

Our training provider is new this year and even though there have been some teething problems as expected, the business coach is on hand to support until we have confirmation of what we need to evidence in our work. We are currently working in progress as we go along which can be difficult though.

My employer puts on lots of different events to learn, and the culture is always help everyone allowing for shadowing and gaining feedback. My line manager in particular has been supportive and always readily available.

Unfortunately when we entered the scheme they had brought the role down a grade, and by about 10k in salary, even thought the content of the work and learning has not changed. This was to enable the Group to employ more of us but I do think we are worth more, especially as for the first 6 months we are a free resource to projects.

LBG are huge in pushing their charity work, and we are even given a paid day to take part in charity. There always opportunities to gain experience out of work.

Yes

Lots of opportunities to learn, support is always available, a friendly and helpful working culture where your role is appreciated.

Always be honest and open, they appreciate authenticity rather than making things up. They prefer your skills and personality than your experience, which is great especially when starting out at a young age. And do your research on the values and behaviours of the Group!