Project Management Higher Apprentice Review

As part of my Degree Apprenticeship, we rotate around placements. This includes core placements such as planning, risk etc. At the moment I am in risk, on a day to day basis my tasks involve gaining updates from relevant capabilities and inputting this information into the Risk database (ARM). I also attend workshops and meetings where I can broadened my knowledge on Risk Management. I have seen the process of risk management from the beginning, and have set up a risk register and written the appropriate documents.

Whilst on my apprenticeship, we have 25 competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours). I have found that throughout my placements I am always able to develop new skills and competencies as well as progress current competencies that I have done in previous placements. From my first placement my stakeholder management competency has been developed and in the past 4 placements I have built on this knowledge along with completing a module at university

I find that my programme is challenging and that it is tailored to your own development needs. Placement managers help to challenge you with new tasks, this means that it is not boring as you always have new things to learn. Again if I say to my placement manager that I have done some work on something in a past placement then they will help me find an opportunity to develop this knowledge/skill whilst on the new placement

We go to University one day a week, and for the rest of the week we are in placements. Our functional lead sends us all of the paperwork that we need in terms of filling out objectives with each placement. However as our scheme has changed from a 3 year to 5 year this has meant there is still some uncertainty around how long our placements will be for the last 2 years of our scheme. Although, it has been explained to us when we will have our EPA and what we need to achieve for that assessment.

We have a strong support network, we have placement managers for support in placements, we have functional leads who support us in our Project Management Career. Also we have an Early Careers team that look after our pastoral care and skills coaches too. Furthermore, there are support groups for mental health etc that are supported by the Early Careers team but are run by our peers.

Whilst we are at college, we have a mentor that goes through our results with us and will ask us if we are struggling with anything. In addition our course tutors are always on hand and respond to our emails really quickly if we have any questions around assignments or college work (whilst we are at work). This helps bridge the gap of us only being at college one day a week

I believe that our qualification directly aligns to what we are doing in work and our competencies. In our first year the PFQ qualification was perfectly timed with our university course and at the point of taking the exam we felt comfortable enough to take the exam. By having the training we can ensure that we have the knowledge behind what we are doing in work.

Yes, as part of work we have STRETCH Opportunities that are run through work and are mini projects that are run by Higher Apprentices/Grads etc. These can range between so many different functions and are great if you have any gaps in competencies. As for social events there are many sports teams that are organised amongst Higher Apprentices and these are a great opportunity to make new friends

Yes

I would recommend my scheme to a friend as I think that it is a great opportunity and also much better than just going to university. We get paid to do our degree, build up 5 years of experience and it helps our understanding by physically being in industry. By completing the scheme we will be in good stead for our career

Make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct on your application, talk about what you do in your spare time and any skills you gain from your hobbies that may be useful in the workplace. Practice interview questions. Research into your scheme and see if you can speak to others on your scheme. Find out lots of information about your function before applying.