Project Management Apprentice Review

Generating cost reports weekly/monthly, aiding and facilitating cost, risk and programme reviews. Working with the Project Managers to give them the most topical data in order to make an informed decision. Creation of booking numbers and distribution of Work authorisations. Co-ordinating quarterly contract status reviews with different areas of BAE Systems.

Over my apprenticeship I have developed skills that are both soft and hard. My soft skills such as communicating clearly with others has developed greatly as well as harder skills such as risk management and using Microsoft tools on my computer. Overall over my time here I feel I have developed greatly.

I enjoy the programme I am on generally, although I do find it at times to be very tiring with both work and college combined. Working 40 hour weeks to go home and complete assignments can be stressful at times especially in the height of term time or busy periods in work.

The programme has an effective structure that allows me to engage with my team at work four days a week and complete any college commitments one day a week (Thursday). The five years is structured in a way that will allow me to continue to develop both academically and professionally.

I feel I support a good amount of support from my employer - specifically my scheme leaders/managers. Overall, they offer opportunities for me to express any concerns I have or problems as well as facilitating sessions to benefit me as a young person such as mental health awareness days or addiction awareness sessions.

My qualification provider delivers one all day session weekly during term time where we learn content and review what is required from us for our module assignments or exams. The college offers support prior to turn in dates to allow for any tutor comments to be made and therefore aid me in achieving higher grades.

The qualification that I am working towards is a BSC Honours degree in Project Management. The modules that I undertake are all related to Project Management tools, techniques, theories and processes. This enables me to have a greater understanding of the environment I operate within in order to make better informed decisions.

At work there are opportunities to be involved in social events (as a majority they are organised by apprentices outside of our schemes practice). This is also the case with sports such as football matches organised by apprentices. Professional events are often organised by the company to encourage networking within the PM population.

Yes

As I am receiving a degree qualification alongside a practical working life it has enabled me to develop both academically and professionally. This balance of college and work is extremely beneficial to me and BAE have structured it in a way that is most effective for my development being personal quarterly reviews and general scheme structure.

I would say to always prepare heavily or assessment days and interviews because they can be very long and tough. The application process can be quite hard. The company offers lots of experiences that wouldn't be offered elsewhere and I would've liked to have been told more about the roles prior to application.