Project Controls Apprentice Review

A project controller monitors and controls the baseline of a project through schedule, cost, risk and opportunity and stakeholder management. The goal is to ensure that the project will delivered the required scope of work within budget, to schedule and it will be the correct quality standard.

New skills and techniques: Schedule management - Using Primavera P6 Cost management - Using Ecosys Risk and opportunity identification and management - Useing Active Risk Management (ARM) Reporting techniques - Using PowerBI Stakeholder management and engagement Engineering - L3 BTEC National Extended Cert in Engineering Working on a mega project Developed skills: Communication Problem solving

The project controls apprenticeship has given me a view of how project work that is very different to what you get by doing a conventional A-level or degree. Learning practically the fundamentals of both project controls and management is an exiting task.

My cohort was the first that was run in the country for this qualification. Furthermore, project controls has only recently been recognised as a profession of its own. With that, came a great deal of "teething problems" but it is now becoming a structured programme.

I have received a great deal of support from EDF Energy, who really do invest in your future. They put a lot of time and effort into making you a better employee and a better working professional. There is always help when I need it, from many different work streams.

As I have previously stated, the programme I'm on is a relatively new one. To start with there wasn't as much support as I would have liked. However, as time has progressed and there is more understanding of the qualification, the support is following.

The qualification sets you up to aim for a management role in the future. In project controls people normally specialise to one field. Whereas, this qualification gives you the understand and knowledge to see the discipline as a whole, rounded process. This is what's needed to develop.

Yes, there are many activities you can get involved with e.g. I've payed in the EDF NNB rugby charity match (you also get stash) for the past 3 years. There're also other opportunities such as staff socials, football, volunteering and 'STEM' work with local schools and colleges.

Yes

This is a great opportunity for someone wanting to work on a fast paced, mega construction project (Hinkley Point C). There are loads of development paths and opportunities and with a good incremental salary scheme. With a competitive rate once you qualify and are successful in apprehending a permanent job.

EDF isn't a bad company. The nuclear industry have license conditions meaning to continue to operate they have to develop "adequate arrangements for suitable training ". This means, as an apprentice you're looked after and it's in their best interest to develop the best possible employee they can.