Project Management Degree Apprentice Review

I rotate placements every 4 - 6 months to learn about different areas of project management. The tasks vary depending on which placement but usually consist of general project support activites such as producing packs for meetings, communications plans, organisational structures, monitring progress, attending meetings etc.

Both, developed lots of skills i already had like communication, oranigsation and professionalism but developed other skills like leadership and team working. The skills we are required to learn as part of the apprenticeship are provided to us at the very beginning and STRETCH activites can be used to gain these skills, which are paid voluntary activities whcih apprentices can apply for. Choice of placements also allow you to develop certain skills.

I thoughroughly enjoy the apprenticeship programme at BAE Systems. At the star, I lacked a lot of skill thats required to manage projects and now, I feel not only personally I have developed, in my confidence and ability to trust my own instinct, but I have developed skills via placements and STRETCH that I believe are unique to my experience and I would not be able to gain to the level I have had I not been a part of this programme. I actively recommend this route to any one lingering between Univeristy and a Degree Apprenticeship as this not only gives you the technical knowledge but the experience, skills and behaviours to be successful in the career you aspire to be in. Help, support and guidance from the dedicated Early Careers team and placement managers is second to none, both in work and at home; I can fully understand why BAE Systems has won many apprenticeship awards in the past.

The programme is very well stuctured, apart from a few un-plannable events the whole 5 years is mappaed out so the expectations of you are set from the very beginning, this makes it easier to understand. You can also request placements you feel you would enjoy and would be beneficial to your learning.

There isn't anymore support my employer could provide - as stated above. At home and in personal life the dedicated Early Careers team is absolutely fantastic in supporting myself and my peers through the programme and supporting us to work through any problems that might occur.

Support from the training provider University of Cumbria is also amazing. Tutors are available via email for questions or worries and they will happily take time out of their schedule to meet with you 1-1 if there is something specific you are struggling with. Feedback is great on assignments and teaching is relatable to work so realtively easy to grasp.

As said above, the units we complete at University directly link to parts of our apprenticeship for example. It provides me with solid foundations upon which i can develop my knowledge in work within a real-world setting. This is great as theories then become real life and this helps cement what i've learnt at University.

STRETCH as stated above, which are paid voluntary projects/tasks outside of work time which allows me to team build with my peers outside of work and gain behaviours which i find helpful in my apprenticeship, like leadership and team working. This can be from helping out at school clubs or taking Project Lead positions on small events representing the buisness and leading a small team.

Yes

I believe it is the best way to complete a degree, and i would recommend this route over University hands down. The work based learning goes hand-in-hand with the work you complete at University, you are encouraged and supported immensely by everyone in the buisness. It motivates me that the buisness has to chosen to invest in me; this encourages me to push myself and find the drive to stretch my abilitys as i feel i am valued by the buisiness and that is my way of showing my appreciation.

I would advise you to do your research, find out about not only what BAE as a business is involved in but their vision, values and strategies.