Quality - Project Management Degree Apprenticeship Review

My day to day role involves working on a variety of quality improvement projects that follow the DMAIC cycle and lean six sigma principles. Along side these projects i also am completing my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Qualification which involves delivering another project whilst gaining new knowledge and skills. Also as part of my team we deal with emergent issues.

My apprenticeship in general has allowed me to develop my softer skills and behaviours, such as leadership and communication; skills not necessarily developed in a classroom setting. Furthermore being in a business environment has allowed me to develop my professionalism. Also with being a quality project manager degree apprentice i have focused a lot on developing my quality management skills.

I am really enjoying the ability to put context taught in theory into practice in an organisational setting, as it has allowed the topic to be more easily understood. Furthermore another aspect of why i enjoy the scheme is because of the opportunities to do stretch projects outside of your day job, which allows you to gain a wider insight and gain an holistic view of the business.

The programme is relatively well structured, although transition with placements always happen, sometime they lack fluidity. Furthermore communication on specific aspects of the structure of the apprenticeship such as EPA and other key milestones, are sometimes only focused on later in the apprenticeship. On the other hand however, the overall structure of the apprenticeship is good and mostly coherent amongst year groups.

The early careers function is always striving to give maximum support to all apprentices, and i have always felt supported, especially in the well being aspect. The only occasional downfall is due to the sheer amount of apprentices employed in the business sometimes meaning support is sometimes limited, particularly in individual queries.

University of Cumbria have lots of facilities that have been have allowed me to complete my degree so far without any issue. From personal experience most lecturers have all been ineffably helpful and always willing to go the extra mile to support and allow you to gain high standards. However i am aware this is very dependent on the lecturer of the module.

I believe that my training provider has provided me with knowledge on best practice processes within project management, and has allowed me to understand different prospective between varying professional bodies. A key benefit currently is that our current lecturer is a old employee of my organisation with is helpful in putting the knowledge to context also, which allows me to perform better in my role.

Although it may be available, i have no heard of any sports teams within my organisation and this is something i would love to get involved with if available. However there is often social events, especially in individual teams and amongst apprentices. Also there is sometimes opportunities for professional networking events, such as a discussion about the uses of agile project management in business.

Yes

BAE Systems offers not only a career with a purpose but also other great social benefits. Furthermore another great aspect of the organisation is the ability to move within the business to experience time in different functions, allowing individuals to have a varying career. Finally the varying locations provide even more benefits to working within BAE.

Understand the BAE Behaviours and what they mean to you, this is because they are in everything we do. Furthermore gain valuable experience prior of working in a team environment, as BAE systems employees provide great value in allowing individual strengths to shine through to create an competent well rounded team.