Project Management Degree Apprentice Review

My role involves working in a project controls team which is a central hub for all teams creating a Naval Ship, I help create plans using MS Project and P6, I learn how to put through change request and how to fill out and use all relevant forms and platforms, i create reports which are used to check finances and the progress of the project i'm working on, and finally i give support to any teams within my project who may need help doing project controls work.

I have learned many new skills such as how to use many platforms like EXCEL, MS Project, P6. My communication and collaboration skills have developed massively since starting, i'm confident with numbers and equations, filling out spreadsheets and learning what is involved in becoming a PM. I feel within the 8 months i've been with the company I have learned and developed within my role greatly, to the point i'm already doing most daily tasks on my own.

I enjoy my programme massively, the other apprentices i've met have been supportive and friendly, meaning we help each other out and find out different things were doing in the different placements. When at university we get to network with people within other sectors, again helping us expand our knowledge on the company and different tasks we do in different sectors.

The business side, is very well structed as every year we enter a new placement so we can gain more knowledge skills and behaviours, the university aspect also ties in well as our yearly placements mimic the learning we are doing at university eg. learning about MS project and planning in our first year then having to use that within my placement. This allowed me to do the work in my placement much easier as i already had knowledge and used the platforms.

The support system is great, i speak to my manager weekly and most the time daily, i have weekly team meetings twice a week, i speak to my skills coach weekly, and we have mental health, wellbeing and safeguarding mentors issued to us who are available anytime to call or message if we feel we need there support. I have called my manager with issues outside of working hours, same as my skills coach and they are always there to support, give guidance and give advice not matter when.

We attend university regularly, where all content on the exams is provided before due dates, we are given time within our working day to revise, we has assigned tutors from the university who we can speak to if we are stuck, there is also many materials given to us on each module to help further our learning, and they will pay/provide all materials required for the learning/exams (even laptops for the whole 9 months of university each year).

All work learnt within uni is put back into our placements, whether it be terminology or an actual platform, i find the knowledge and skills i learn at uni are used regularly in my placement helping me understand tasks and what people are saying a lot easier than before.

We have monthly early career days, e.g bowling, go ape, meals. There are football teams and walking groups within work you can join, we get invited to reward days and APM events helping us to network with others. There are also clubs such as LGBT+ and women in technology to join, where they have regular coffee dates.

Yes

The way this company has supported me personally and professionally is outstanding, it is somewhere you are respected, valued and feel a belonging even though I'm only a first year apprentice. the work you get given is subject to what you can handle and at anytime if you feel over worked they will decrease your work amount. The pay is also extremely good which is a bonus, but I've never felt more valued and respected by my peers as someone who's is technically at the bottom of the hierarchy. I just believe if you get the chance to work here take it !

GO FOR IT!!! Just be yourself, you don't have to know much about project management or the platforms you use, as long as your passionate and determined to work they will teach you everything you need to know.