Higher Apprentice - Project Management Review

I currently move around placements every 4 months. These include some core placements such as risk, planning etc. This is to fully develop us to ensure we are well rounded in our skills when we finish our apprenticeship and exit into the business. Currently some of my day to day tasks include running the resourcing sheets and taking actions and minutes for management meetings.

During my time on my apprenticeship scheme I have become a lot more confident with talking to people and presenting in front of people. I have also learnt how to approach things in a professional manner which has helped me get a lot of exposure during my time within the business. I have also developed general project management skills such as planning which I didn't know before.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme here within BAE Systems as it allows me to gain an academic qualification (degree in project management) which also getting on the job experience which a lot of other employers wouldn't be able to offer. This means when I come out of my time I will be ready to begin a job as a project engineer.

During the scheme we have regular catch ups with our discipline manager and plenty of catch ups/ formal reviews with our management team. These consist of a formal review every 12 weeks to check how we are getting on and an annual review once a year to ensure we are meeting all our targets.

We have many people on the scheme who can support us for different things. Early Careers are available for general support whether that be for work or home life. We have mentors throughout the business who have been assigned to help us as we progress through the company. Anyone within BAE Systems always seems happy to help in placements and with any other help you may need whilst you are with them.

We receive plenty of support. My class have recently completed our APM qualification and we were allowed 6 days off work to go into college and learn the syllabus for this. This helped us have the best opportunity possible for passing the exam. We are also allowed to do college work in work if your placement manager permits

During college we cover plenty of things which relate to work. For example we recently did a module on planning which included being taught how to use Microsoft Project correctly. This has helped me in my placements as I can use this software for preparation now for litter projects because I know what I am doing.

There are plenty of things to get involved in including stretch assignments which can be anything from helping perform mock interviews for people wanting to apply to the company to going into a school and running a quiz show (Top of the Form). There are also sports teams which people send out requests for players. I am currently on the BAE Systems Rounders team.

Yes

I think it is a wonderful experience as you get your degree financed and get experience from the job at the same time. Everyone is really friendly and accepting of you and understands that you are only learning so might need a little bit more support. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.

Make sure it is the right decision for you because not everyone is the same and likes the same things. Make sure you take time with you application and look through it to make sure you are happy and haven't made any mistakes. Ensure you are applying for the correct scheme for yourself.