Project Management Degree Apprentice Review

In my role, I will move around 5 placements over the scheme, Working with Project Management teams across the business in many projects. In my current placement I am working with the Cost Control team, forecasting project spend, managing actuals and reporting to the wider business on a monthly basis, and influencing commercial decisions.

Over the placement that I am currently in I have learnt many new skills including: reporting, cost collection, forecasting, scheduling, Learning from Experience and stakeholder management. I have also developed some existing skills including, team work, communication and IT skills around Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visio and Microsoft Project. All these skills are necessary for the role.

The programme is very engaging, always changing. This is due to being on projects with fast paced schedules and short time frames. We must make sure that we are covered by contract for the work that we do, sometimes as we do it, and so adding elements of pressure to the workplace. This along with moving around projects on an annual basis provides variation to the work

The programme is clearly organised, with support structures present to support us through the process whether this being provided by the business or the University. There is a central Project Management function who are also willing to support in any way they can. There is sometimes the lack of communication between the university and the workplace around some tasks.

The support structures are huge, with support available from either the workplace or through the university. Within the workplace, we are able to gain support from our placement managers, project teams, line manager, Early Careers and Central Project Management Function. From the University, we are able to get support from our lecturers, course team and the support centre.

We receive prep work and reading to complete prior to the lectures which allows us to read around the subject area and ask relevant questions when in the classroom. With assignments, we are walked through the requirements making sure that we are able to complete the assignment to the best of our ability.

Through using the theory learnt at University, we are able to achieve more in our roles as we have a greater understanding of the tasks we are completing. We can also use the knowledge learnt at University to better the processes used within the business to develop overall efficiency in the team.

There are a wealth of extra- curricular events that we are able to join in with. These include STEM events at local schools, careers events at the town hall, sports events within the Naval Base. We are also able to attend social events with our project teams, the cohort within the business over all years and our current University cohort.

Yes

BAE Systems is a great place to get a "foot in the door", the vast amount of projects that we work on allows us to have the flexibility to move around the business and develop skills as we go. The best part of it all is that we may never have to leave the business. They also put large amounts of effort into our personal development throughout not only the scheme but in the business itself.

Understand the business and what they do. Make sure that you understand the different business streams and how they differ, but also how they cross over and work together. While understanding the business it is also important to understand the industry that we work in and what the customer means to the business.