Project Manager Apprentice Review

Interaction with colleagues from within my own team, other teams at Jisc and on occasion our external members to provide access to the network in the most efficient manner and organisation of internal meetings and events to raise awareness of the apprentices at Jisc, alongside my colleagues, for new learning experiences.

My written communication skills in regards to emails has improved, confidence in speaking in front of a people of people is slowly developing, methods of approaching and the management of a project and communication with external suppliers has grown as well as my understanding of the systems in place to carry out a project - which will help me a huge amount as I am given greater responsibility in the future.

I am enjoying my programme very much - my colleagues make themselves available at all times to respond to any questions that I might have, I am always given the time that I require to complete the development of my knowledge surrounding the programme (including time to complete research, assignments etc), with time I am gradually being given increased responsibility shadowing the work of more projects going on within my team and now that I have enrolled in a programme that is greater suited to my job role (having approached my line manager to suggest alternative training to both Jisc and I), I am much happier.

My training provider (QA Limited - the scroll down option would not work) has been the centre of organisation problems which I am hoping will improve, however my mentor and line manager at Jisc have been making lots of effort to help me deal with any issues that I have had. In terms of my work at Jisc however, organisation and structure to my programme is much better as I am gradually being involved with more teams in Jisc and given greater responsibility/opportunity to learn by shadowing/assisting my colleagues.

Jisc have also provided me with a mentor, for me to ask for help with day-to-day queries and to provide both coaching and mentoring. I am also shadowing and assisting with the work of my mentor in order to gain a better understanding as to the process of carrying out projects. My line manager, as well as the rest of my team, are also providing lots of support to ensure that I gain experience in the areas that would help me develop.

My training provider (QA Limited) has not been as supportive as I might have hoped, as there have been issues since the start of my programme surrounding organisation, understanding and structure of the programme and communication. I have raised these issues in a complaint and the situation is ever so slowly improving, however this is likely down to the contact between QA and my line manager and skills coach in order to ensure that my training provider is giving me the level of support that will assist me in enjoying and successfully completing my training.

Although it will be very useful, it is not essential and other qualifications, training for which is being provided by my employer, such as Prince2 will perhaps have greater relevance to my day-to-day responsibilities. That said, I believe that the qualifications I will gain will provide me with the foundations and confidence to go forward and succeed.

There are various extra-curricular activities, such as rounders, cricket and football teams, social activities amongst the group in which I work, as we have been for drinks and meals, and regular professional networking events in the campus in which I work, in order to provide access to/understanding of other organisations on campus. In addition, myself and the other apprentices at Jisc are organising regular events in order to meet new people from across the organisation.

Yes

Jisc is a very friendly, warm and happy environment to work in. People are very supportive of my training.

Do not be scared to suggest an alternative qualification that you would like to study for - I switched from one QA programme to another and my mentor and line manager were happy that I made that choice - as it will be better suited to myself and Jisc.