Project Manager Apprentice Review

I am a Project Management Apprentice and joined the company 18 months ago. I am leading multiple projects with support from my team of highly experienced Project Managers. Daily, I respond to emails from my project team, my wider team and the apprentice community. I attend a variety of meetings, including leading project meetings and team meetings, and observing experienced project managers in others. I interact with teams in Canada, the US, and Sweden as well as a variety of functions based on campus in Macclesfield.

I have developed and learnt lots of skills. My proudest achievement has been gaining my Association for Project Managers Qualification, a qualification recognised internationally. This opportunity was supported by my employer and university. I am working towards my Project Management Degree with Northeastern University London alongside working, I have participated in a variety of internal training courses, such as Change Control Owning, DocuSign and a Stress Management Course. But mostly, I have developed my confidence in a professional environment and my planning and coordinating skills.

I really enjoy working as part of a project team where everyone is working on different things. It really helps you get an insight into different areas of the business and the different types of projects that are running. Then, you have the opportunity to pick a project that interests you. I recently updated my individual portfolio to adopt more of an interest in Sustainability projects and since then I have received a new project to support in this space.

Our induction, although it was virtual, was organised and run very well. We received a lot of training in regards to the company and its values before attending site in our first week. I receive support from my local and wider team in completing university tasks. I also have a buddy - another apprentice from an earlier cohort who provides less formal support. I have a mentor, who works in a different projects function, who can support with personal skills development and other queries you may not wish to ask your direct team.

I receive support from my team and manager to complete my university study as well as my work. But I don't find that I am micromanaged and given constant tasks - I have the freedom to attend calls that are of my interests. I am given plenty of time to study and extra if required, and my working hours are really flexible.

Northeastern University London are great at providing degrees for degree apprentices. Deadlines are set at the start of the three years, learning is mostly remote with some seminars to allow for flexible study, and the course is well structured and consistent. Tutors and learning advisors reply quickly to emails and are available to arrange 1-1s with. They really want you to succeed and have made my university experience great so far.

My apprenticeship and work are really well aligned. As I began my first project, I was studying the stages of project lifecycle and how to plan a project. Many of the tasks within my practical assignments for university have been useful in the project, such as creating a Gantt Chart, a stakeholder register and analysing the triple constraints. Another example is when I began studying IT Project Management, I was able to raise this with my employer who gave me an IT Project to lead, to use as an example for my study. The degree is not industry aligned, so I am learning generic skills that I can apply to the industry I am working in.

I have recently become a Co-Lead for the AZinspire North West Committee. AZinspire is a global employee resource group with the mission to provide cross-functional learning, professional skills development and networking opportunities for early in career persons. My role within AZi includes organising social and informational calls as well as talking to committee members from across the world to increase collaboration. I lead a team of 18 individuals and manage our budget to ensure we engage as many EiCPs as possible. Outside of work, I go to the on-site gym and I also do cheerleading at a local club.

Yes

I have been really welcomed into the company and despite the large size of the corporation, apprentices are extremely well valued. There are so many opportunities and departments that you can be exposed to, so it is the perfect place for somebody not 100% sure what they want to do, or get bored in one role easily!

Ensure that you spend time on your application and that you have answered the questions to the best of your ability. These responses are the only thing the recruiters will know about you, so make sure they reflect your personality, passion and skillset. The assessment day at AZ is a really welcoming experience - do prepare well, but do not panick... you are not expected to have years experience or know everything yet. There are so many opportunities within the company. My one piece of advice is that it is unlikely someone will give it to you - you have to ask questions and be bold.