Project Management Degree Apprentice Review

My first placement is in the project controls risk team. Some of my tasks include - attending meetings and shadowing senior members of my team, pulling data out of the risk register and making risk review packs, running risk review, producing metrics monthly, making and uploading CAM packs, assisting my point of contact with any work they require help with.

I have learnt and developed my skills in Microsoft Excel which were pretty much none existent. I have learned how to write professional emails and conduct myself in a way that is suitable for the business environment. I have also learned how to organise meetings and give presentations to senior people in the business.

I enjoy my programme to a large extent. I am constantly stretched so I never feel comfortable which allows me to grow into my role. I also have a university assessment every 6 weeks, so I am constantly improving and learning. I do not feel over stressed though, as the support from early careers and University of Cumbria is good.

It is very well organised. It is split across 5 years with 2 years being in your exit role where you will finish up employed. The structure of the degree is good too as your last piece of work is to collect a portfolio of the work undertaken in your exit role.

I receive a large amount of support from my employer. Next week in fact I have a seminar on how to avoid stress. Every 6 weeks or so I have wellness check ups to see if I am coping with my work and if I require any additional support.

The support I receive from University of Cumbria toward my qualifications isnt that great however. I feel like I have to teach myself the content of the course. There seems to be a lack of people teaching the course who have experience of the industry. This has been fed back to my employer, however, and they say changes are being made.

Every time I finish a module at university, it helps my understanding of my role a lot more. I sit in governance meetings monthly where things are mentioned like EVM. Currently, I am doing stakeholder management which has helped me understand which people need to be informed and to what level.

There are professional networking events to get involved with which happen regularly. There arent any extra curricular activities that I am aware of to get involved in. There used to be a brass band but that hasnt existed for many years. I hope this can change in the future as it would be good to get to know other people in the business a bit more as well as other apprentices.

Yes

In my area Barrow in Furness there are very limited career opportunities with BAE Systems being pretty much the only employer. For lots of young people it is a choice between leaving the area to find work or go to university. BAE Systems also offers a good salary to people and debt free education with work available for our entire working lives.

Dont be put off if you dont get in first time. Take everything you have learned from the failed application and put that into your next one. Also look at other schemes. BAE Systems has such a wide range of career opportunities, there is bound to be one you will get if you are determined enough.