Project Management Degree Apprentice Review

Everyday is different, we rotate around the business completing 12 month placements. Currently I am managing Bids for training projects which involves schedule management, cost estimating, reporting, etc. My role is a key element to ensuring that we complete the required documentation and gain contracts which allow us to commence work on the projects. Alongside this, I manage risk for the programme and ensure that the work we are doing fits within the overall programme, creating a critical path and also solving issues outside my immediate role that I have experience on.

I have gained skills in how to manage people, how to communicate effectively to get the output required, how to problem solve and use resource efficiently to solve issues and keep the project on-track, the efficient use of SAP software allowing better control of projects and easier reporting. Alongside this, I have been gaining skills in the Project Management discipline so that I am able to run a project from start to end, knowing what to do when and highlighting issues before they threaten the schedule.

The programme allows for personal and skill development. It provides a real world experience of what you are learning academically and why processes are as they are. I would say that this programme puts you well ahead of others if they were to complete a standard degree and for this reason I am really enjoying it. I feel that the programme has put me in an amazing position to be able to leave the scheme and take on a role immediately.

The programme has had a couple of adjustments while I have been on the scheme, however this has meant that the structure of the scheme is now more streamlined than it was when I started and has a much better flow, showing clear direction towards the goal End Point Assessment. As stated the programme runs through 4 12 monthly placements around the business and so this provides experience in different areas of the business ensuring skills in all areas of the competencies.

Due to the structure of the organisation there is lots of support. Firstly your functional manager and team from the placement you are working with provides support with the day-to-day tasks you are assigned. Our Early Careers Line Manager with HR queries that are out of scope for the functional manager. The Early Careers team is also equipped with a skills coach and safeguarding officer. Plus, we have support from the university on succeeding with our degree work.

The training provider assigns lecturers to modules within the course, these are contactable throughout their modules and provide support on any issues. There is then the management team who are willing to help and support any issues outside of the individual modules. Alongside this, we are assigned a mentor however the contact with this mentor can be fractured due to the number of students they have been assigned. Overall good support is given for completing assignments.

Working towards the qualification enables an academic slant to be given to the work already being undertaken within the business. We are able to put the textbook processes into action within the workplace and sometimes are completing these processes before we understand why. This flipped learning enables clear understanding of the reasons behind activities within the workplace and further develops the understanding when writing academic work. We are also empowered to challenge processes in our role to aim to make them more effective.

There is a wide range of activities that can be undertaken. The Early Careers team offer a mandatory team building event known as Outward Bound which takes apprentices from the company nationally and 'forces' you into situations that must be overcome as a team. We also have support groups for LGBT communities, less abled people among others. The cohort structure is really pushed using balls and evenings out to bring not only the Project Managers together but the whole Early Careers community.

Yes

BAE Systems is an all-round employer. They provide you with the skills and the knowledge to ensure success in roles around the business but also outside the business too. I feel that the BAE Systems apprenticeships are the perfect foundation for life and if you are able to secure a place then take the opportunities the company throws at you and work hard to ensure that you are in the best possible position to move off the scheme into the business.

The BAE Systems Apprenticeship intake process is long, be patient. Each step of the process may look like it has lots of gaps where you don't know if you have succeeded or not. Make sure that applications are filled out thoroughly, each box full of information about yourself. Boast, tell the managers everything about you and how amazing you are. This shows confidence in yourself and that you know how to communicate effectively to get what you need.