Project Management Apprentice Review

I assist a senior project manager on projects and I run smaller projects myself in the infrastructure department of the business. I track purchase orders, raise orders for materials, request access for technical sites so work can be completed. I also create team activities such as quizzes and our volunteering initiatives.

The department I am in is very technical so it has been a change for me, and due to this I have leant that ' you don't have to know everything, you just have to know the people who do'. It means being able to make connections with a wide variety of people who have the skill sets I need use to complete my job.

I do enjoy the programme I am on as the skills I have learnt are universal wherever my career takes me. It can sometimes be challenging to juggle work and studying but my team are very supportive and I know that they put my studying as the number one priority.

In the beginning, it was difficult particularly from the trainer providers side and paired with the fact that my team hadn't had a apprentice before however with some adjustments to the training and some more frequent communication with my team, the teething issues were sorted by the 6 month mark and I am now very used to the structure.

The support from my team is great, everyone is willing to help and I know that they are only a phone call away. I have weekly meetings with my project manager and with my mentor and I am included and listened to in our team meetings and discussions. I feel I am able to approach anyone from my team with issues or concerns and I know they would be dealt with.

The support has definitely improved since my cohort has started. At the beginning we struggled with the modules and felt that we weren't in the right roles for this qualification, however we raised our concerns and big changes were made. We now have 6 weekly huddle sessions to ask questions about submissions or exams as well as our 6 weekly meetings with our coach and manager. My coach responds to my queries quickly and it is willing to help.

The qualification forces you to apply what you know and do in your day to day role to your studying and in turn the qualification means you ask more questions and learn more than just your day to day role. Also the qualification highlights ways in which you can improve your role and perhaps your team.

Virgin Media has a lot of extra curricular even during COVID-19. From future career weekly quizzes to competitions just for apprentices, interns and graduates. Then as a wider group there are plenty of team initiatives like walking challenges or bake offs. We now have also been granted 5 days for volunteering to help our local communities.

Yes

It is a great company to work for because there is a great team environment, lots of opportunities to develop, generous pay, lots of benefits, flexible working environment and cares for their employees well being and work life balance. I feel listened to and valued as a member of the team.

Be yourself and answer the questions honestly because they are not looking for someone who knows everything, they are looking for someone who is willing to learn and can be molded into a successful employee. Also, asking to repeat a question isn't a bad thing often the interviewer will rephrase the question and which may lead you to answer the question better.