Trainee Project Manager Review

As a project manager apprentice I assist senior colleagues in general project management tasks which include preparing regular reports, managing the risk register, charing some smaller meetings as well as setting them up and preparing any notes for them. I manage one of the smaller packages on one project that involves the general management of the site before a general contractor is on board, including items such as security, canteen, the office containers, items in the office.

When I first started my apprenticeship in project management I came straight from sixth form so I did not have any knowledge of project management and data centres which is the industry I currently work in. Everything I have learnt during this apprentice is new to me. Some of these skills include interfacing with several stakeholders in a project, producing professional reports and setting up and preparing for meetings.

I really enjoy this programme as it has provided my with so much new learning and has given me so many opportunities to develop both my career and me personally. I have a fantastic team who are constantly supporting me and helping me to develop as a project manager, they are always willing to give up their time to teach me new things. The company culture is also great and it really does follow through with the people first culture everyone including senior leadership wants to know what you are working on and how they can help you.

The programme is not as well organised as expected, there is very little communication between my employer and my university so often the university course is not relevant to some of the projects I am working on it is quite generic compared to the work I am doing. There is not always the best communication for the apprenticeship with regards to the long term goals such as the chartership, I am not entirely sure on my exact route to gaining my chartership is.

I receive a lot of support from my Line manager and my team to ensure I have enough time to complete my university work and to continue to learn and develop throughout my career. Many colleagues are happy to help with university work and provide me with knowledge from their experience.

In terms of my degree I study at a university that I attend in person so I am able to get in person help from module leaders and lecturers as required during term time. With regards to my professional chartership with the RICS I have not yet had much support with this as I don't start to work towards it for another few months so for the moment the support I have is sufficient.

The university course is very extensive and covers a wide range of generic topics, but it does not fully support my day to day role as I work in data centres which are not covered by the university course. In terms of project management knowledge it does cover many of the basic skills required to be a project manager,

I lead the social team in my local office and run monthly social nights in the office having to interface with many senior leaders who support these events. I am also able to attend conferences related to data centre where I can network with external stakeholders in the industry, this also gives me a chance to learn more about the industry to apply to my everyday job.

Yes

It is a great company to work for who care about their people, especially apprentices, where everyone in the company wants you to develop and learn. Even senior leaders take an interest in what apprentices are doing. It also gives you many opportunities such as to travel and take part in courses such as the digital exploration program Expedition DNA where you are able to delve deeper in to the digital world and find out how this can apply to your day to day role.

It is a great place to work where everyone cares about you and your development. We care about sustainability and it is important that you align with this value and the others values in Arcadis. It is helpful to research some of the projects we work on to see how you feel you will fit in with the company and the projects you want to work on.