Project Manager Apprentice Review

If I am working at the site office, I usually spend the first 15 minutes walking around the site to review the progress made. Once at my computer I check my emails and determine the day's activities. I attend any meetings I have that day and work with the project team to resolve solution, update stakeholders and manage the project's delivery.

During my apprenticeship scheme I have grown in confidence in the actions I have taken to get task complete and in communicating to my colleagues around the company and the industry. I have developed public speaking skills as I have had to present during meetings and I have also developed self analysis skills as I have had to reflect on my portfolio work and the actions I took to complete the competencies.

I have thoroughly enjoy my scheme so far as I have got to be apart of a range of different projects which all directly effect the public. I have also been able to apply the training I have received into my work and see improvements in what I have done.

My scheme is broken into four 6 month placements around my organisation. During the first year of my scheme I attended college for a week every six weeks. At the end of the first year I then sat the APMQ exam. During the second year, I focused on making my portfolio. This structure worked very well as I new when I had to focus on which sections of the scheme.

I have a line manager who is there to support me with annual leave, sick leave and getting my next placement. I also have a placement manager, who is most likely the project manager, they give me the task and attend my reviews. Both of these manager provide a huge about of support, There is also a wide network of ex-apprentices who have helped me and given to advise.

I was given a Skills Coach from the training provider, they guided me through what I needed to include in my portfolio and helped with allocating time for revision or for the writing of the portfolio. They also facilitated my; start of, mid and end of placement reviews which were all face to face. They were also available for a quick phone call if needed too.

The theory and skills I have learned have helped me in my role at work hugely as it gave me the knowledge to understand why we needed to complete a package of work as well as helping me identify why the package of work was important. The training gave me the baseline knowledge which I have build on in my role so that I am able to do my job effectively.

Yes, there are running clubs which go out for runs during the lunch hour, there are also yoga classes which you can attend. Transport for London encourages you to be a member of a professional body and attend events they put on to help with your development. We also have learning lunches which are hour long seminars put on by different areas of the organisation so everyone can learn more about their department.

Yes

I felt so welcome when I first joined Transport for London and I felt immediately conformable to ask question after question! The variety of projects I have got to work on and the exposure to the transport and construction industry has been fantastic. With smart working and flexible hours the work life balance has been great.

Do your research on Transport for London and get an understanding of why you want to work for them. When it come to the interviews, have a think about what kind of questions they will ask and practice answering them or get a friend or family member to help. Lastly, be your self and show them what you have got to offer!