Apprentice Project Delivery Manager Review

I support the IT Operations department by project managing various strategic initiatives. This involves taking objectives set by management and working with them and their teams to coordinate delivery of the work to achieve the stated goals. I have responsibility for reporting progress, highlighting and escalating issues and dealing with our stakeholders either to meet their needs or to represent the department in rolling out business change.

I have developed a wealth of new skills, the apprenticeship delivering huge value by setting out the way in which things are supposed to be done in a comprehensive best-practice framework. The role then allows me to apply these tools and techniques and doing so has made me more effective as a team-player, leader and developed by communications and planning skills immeasurably.

The training is great, a low-pressure opportunity to sharpen skills on practice assignments and pick-up best-practice tips with a group of like-minded people. Equally in the workplace the colleagues are great and it is a pleasure to work together to achieve shared goals. Work will always involve an element of stress due to new challenges and deadlines etc. but the support network is good, the remuneration quite fair and the opportunity worthwhile.

My role is a relatively new one so there is not a natural, well-established path for me to follow. I appreciate the flexibility though and the freedom to get involved where I am needed (with a fairly broad remit) so haven't felt this is a problem. Training delivery is very organised and structured (though a little more front-loaded learning might be useful to get up to speed fast).

I have an excellent line manager and feel that the development side of the apprenticeship has been very well respected, with ample time allowed for development opportunities and apprenticeship responsibilities. I have been given the opportunity to tackle some big challenges quite freely but always with the support behind me if I need it.

QA provide a skills coach meeting every 6-8 weeks as well as excellent-quality instructors to deliver the courses themselves. If anything I was shocked by the extent that they invest in their learners. If anything the amount of support and the paperwork it brings could be considered a little on the high side for somebody who is fairly independent but it offers value should you choose to engage with it.

I absolutely feel that the qualification (APM PMQ) provides a very strong framework for excellent performance in my role. Put simply, if I were to constantly apply every technique, tool and trick taught on the training course at work whenever appropriate I would exceed all expectations. The principles are built on decades of findings from experienced professionals and are very robust.

The CSSC is the civil-service wide extra-curricular network which you will gain access to as part of this organisation (for a small membership fee). This gives you access to an on-site gym and classes but more significantly a mass of nationwide activities in sport and recreation (plus a load of discounts). There is a heavily-discounted bar open on Fridays and regular social events thrown.

Yes

It's a good place to work. The site itself is beautiful and the contents of the building and the work done by the organisation is really interesting. There are frequent talks and opportunities to get privileged access to national treasures. It is a time of great transformation and this can be exciting to be a part of.

Do your research! Many of the people working here have been here for decades because they love the building, the works within and the work we do to preserve and share it. Getting an understanding of what can from the outside look like a fairly obscure player in terms of cultural institutions will pay dividends when you see what a rich sector it leads