Apprentice Project Manager Review

Within my role at Mace, I shadow project progress and design meetings where the architects, structural engineers, QS's and client all attends. I also support with the data entry and financial management associated with billing and framework reporting. I have also been dealing with the first part of the procurement process for a new project, where I managed the expression of interest exercise.

Since working at Mace I have gained confidence, this was shown when I presented my first powerpoint presentation to a few collegues on a lunch time CPD. This presentation was on procurement routes. I believe my technical knowledge is developing every day with the amount of exposure I am getting to the projects that are being managed by Mace.

There are many different parts of the apprenticeship programme I enjoy, one being the freedom to be able to learn as well as working day to day is beneficial for me as I find that learn more effectively when I am actually doing a tasks rather than being in a classroom.

The organisation and structure of the programme is great, we have one day out of our working week to complete university tasks. This works well with me as I like to learn on the job so I have four days a week I can do this and then put it into my university work. It is also very flexible which is good when your involved within a busy project because if a meeting came up that you need to attend you are able to and then move the uni day to another day that week.

I believe that my employer is very supportive if the apprenticeship programme. One reason for this is that my line manager will always sit down with me the week before an assignment submission date to read over my work just as another pair of eyes before submitting the assignment to avoid missing out on marks do to mistakes like missing a word.

The staff at UCEM are really supportive when it comes to the assignments, they will always provide time where you are able to speak to them about how to improve ready for the the next assignment as well as helping you navigate around the Virtual learning environment to gain the most amount of information for the assignments.

I am able to relate back to some pieces of work that I have recently completed at UCEM to become more knowledgeable in my day to day work in the workplace. For example, in one assignment we had to write about change management and within the same week we had a change request on a project. The uni work I had completed helped me understand what would happen next on the project.

There is a WhatsApp group that people are able to be added into from UCEM to help others with the assignments. i believe there are also networking events throughout the year. Also we have workshops twice a year which gives us a chance to be able to meet others from UCEM.

Yes

Mace is a good place to work with many offices around the UK as well as internationally if someone wanted to take the next step and travel for work. It is a great and positive environment to work in, with everyone being treated with the same respect, equally and fairly. Mace also creates different opportunities to make their employees happy and motivated.

Mace are passionate about their missions, visions and values so researching Mace before applying is a great tip as it shows the interest you have for them and the readiness to comply with their missions, visions and values. It is always good to show eagerness and the willingness to learn, this will prove to them you are ready to work for a large company in the construction industry.