Project Management Higher Apprentice Review

I put together packs for different programme reviews that take place throughout the year, these can be weekly, monthly or quarterly. I liaise with different teams throughout the programme to gather information to put these packs together. I attend reviews with my placement manager and take actions to update after the meeting ready for the next review. I currently have a project to roll out the '5s' within the office to help to achieve lean working and improve efficiency and general tidiness. I am also a STEM ambassador and go into local schools for events such as mock interviews and career networking with other apprentices in different functions.

I have developed my communication skills due to the nature of my current tasks, which involve communicating with many different teams within the programme. O have also developed my organisational skills, as I have to balance my college work and stretch projects with the work I do in my placement. I have also developed personal and professional responsibility as I represent the business when I do events with external providers.

I enjoy having the opportunity to move within the function in different areas of the placement, as each placement provides a new opportunity to develop skills and technical competencies. I enjoy the wide variety of people of different levels of management this allows me to get involved with and helps me decide where I want my exit role to be. I like being able to apply what I learn about project management in college to my day-to-day tasks and projects.

The structure of the programme is clear, with rotations being scheduled to take place every 4 months, however this is subject to change and it is unknown when this will be communicated to the cohort if it will change. College days are structured at the start of the year with holiday/exam dates being communicated clearly to avoid disruption.

I recieve support from many different areas within the business. My placement manager provides support with the work that I do on placement, my functional manager is also available to provide support if needed. There is also support available from early careers and skills coaches for the duration of the programme to support with any personal or placement concerns.

My training provider provides support on my college days and offers the facilities for out of teaching hours. They are flexible in coming to my work to teach the group on half term days when required and offering support sessions. More practice questions could be provided to help towards passing exams and assignments.

My qualification provides me with knowledge to perform my role so that my placement manager does not have to explain these things to me, e.g. Earned Value Management and business cases, and helps me understand the language of my role. My qualification teaches me best practice in project management so I can try and apply this in my role. Some modules are more relevant than others but this is dependent on placement location and type.

My company encourages apprentices to take part in stretch activities and get involved in activities within the business and local community. As a STEM ambassador I am currently involved in international women in engineering day, writing questions for the school quiz top of the form and go into schools for career networking events for year 11 students. There are also opportunities to get involved in other activities such as future engineers day, assessment centres for the next intake of apprentices and training in giving site tours.

Yes

The company provides me with support from a number of different areas to complete my day to day tasks, I learn everday to develop my competencies and behaviours. I enjoy the opportunity to be able to study and work at the same time and apply this knowledge to my tasks at work.

I would advise to give lots of examples to demonstrate a range of skills and abilities and how you would apply this to a career at BAE Systems. Don't be afraid to show off your abilities and how these would make you a right fit for the company and show an awareness that you know what the company is about and its values.