Apprentice Project Manager Review

Working and providing PM assistance on a few different projects. This involves forecasting, updating time and expenses, logging EWs and CEs, going on meetings and updating team members of their performance and how much time and money they are spending on a given task. Invoicing and producing sub-task orders for suppliers and well as sub-contractors. Quite a few opportunities to work on things which are considered less PM specific, such as creating Project Dashboards on PowerBi or even booking accomodation for staff going on site

Massively developed my tech skills, using new software such as PowerBi and ADS Tools, getting the hang of those has really helped move my career forward. My Excel skills have definitely improved throughout my time, using it everyday has shown me cool little tricks that i can use in my own everyday life, Communication Skills have also seen a great improvement, working and talking to different types of people everyday.

I think the programme offers a broad range of skills which are very useful in all sectors of engineering, and often we have higher placed staff coming and asking for help on projects where they have some sort of PM tasks to do. The Arup staff and my own team are absolutely amazing and i would definitely recommend anybody to take up work here if possible. The course programme itself is well rounded, however it can get a bit repatitive, especially for people who want to be talking to people or on site.

In terms of my training provider, there was a bit of a slow start with poor communication and a lot of pointless admin work which had to be redone a few time, however once the course got going after a month, the tutor is really good and makes you understand all concepts, as well as checking in on you individually quite often. From the Arup point of view, they are super supportive and will really answer all your questions and teach you on the job.

Arup provides multiple routes of support and is absolutely fantastic in helping you throughout your programme. They support you by helping you with any questions you may have from your course theory, as well as providing you with the hands on knowledge required for you to develop within your role. Arup really cares about its employers and will work with you to help balance work, study and social life.

Apart from the 7.5 hours i get on a weekly basis, half of it in person and the other through consolidation work set, i feel the provider actively gives lots of opportunity for the cohort as well as the individual to ask for help and reflect on their progress, One improvement for the training provider would be less emphasis on pointless admin stuff and British Values which unfortunately comes as part of the apprenticeship.

The Level 4 Associate Project Manager course really helps me understand where my own role stands within the business as well as in the wider project and programme role. The theory the course provides is then used in practice at work and on my projects. This is demonstrated within CPD logs where i show how and when i have used this,

There is so many social and sport activities to get involved in at Arup. For grads and apprentices there is social nights out to bond at the beginning of your time at Arup, and regular team socials throughout the year. Lots of opportunities to network, with societies such as Connect Women or just specific coffee catch ups allow for ease of expanding your network. There is a large sports element at arup, with lots of sports teams such as football, tennis, volleyball, cricket, badmington, and yoga throughout the year, and a very cheap gym membership onsite.

Yes

Arup is definitely a nice change to other firms ive worked out, in the sense that you really get a sense that its the staff who make the changes and work towards a joint goal. The company tries really hard to make sure all of its customers and staff are satisfied and works with them to ensure they can change something for the better if that is not the case. The work culture is fantastic and it is really easy fitting in at the company when you share its values and ethos.

Definitely learn about the company and some projects they have worked on relevant to the role you want to apply for. Make sure to tick all their skills boxes by demonstrating where you have used these in the past, and don't forget to be yourself. In the end, the interview stage is where you make your biggest impression on the employer, so make sure you can talk