Project Manager Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Business Operations
Portsmouth
Review Submitted: April 2022
Overall Rating
4.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
My daily role involves communicating with relevant stakeholders in the team to collate inputs for meeting packs and delivering documents to the customer. We have daily calls with the project management team where tasks are provided, I also conduct the internal monthly risk reviews with the team so part of my role is risk management.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
The programme meets my expectations of going to University once a week and expanding on what we learn in the workplace. I enjoy getting to know my team in each placement, everyone is very friendly and helpful towards apprentices. I really enjoy the programme as you get a huge opportunity to network and develop in different behaviour and skills.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt skills in outlook and how to write a professional email, this also includes more features like adding links into emails. I have become proficient in Microsoft project through scheduling projects, this has been a hard skill to develop as training is required. I have also developed in networking and communicating skills because you get the chance to move to different placement which gives me the opportunity to network around the company and meet new people.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
When we first joined we had an induction week which told us a lot about the company and what role we would go in to. We get study time with university and a day release each week which is beneficial to get our assignment work done. There is a hierarchy within each role which is clear and tasks are delegated from your placement manager.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Most support comes from your line manager who is in daily contact and assigns your tasks. There is also an opportunity to have a mentor and you are given a buddy when you start the programme which is very helpful. There is also the early careers team which you can go to for anything regarding the apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
We get a day every week at university where we receive training, any problems are escalated through the early careers team and the university are good at responding to our feedback. I do enjoy university, it is nice to see the other apprentices and apprentices from different companies. We also have a training wee to develop our project management qualification and an introduction to project management when first starting the course.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Within our university modules we do work based learning so our assignment is based within our role, this gives us the opportunity to run with a project through work for university. Therefore, university creates projects and makes us think more about our jobs as our assignments are linked. The project management theory we learn is put into practice which is really helpful. I have brought more to the workplace since learning at university.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are many stretch opportunities to get involved with, including APM challenge which gives you the chance to network and create your own project. There are also sports clubs to get involved with and social events like the early careers ball. There is also a chance to become a STEM ambassador where you can promote the business in schools.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a great place to gain hands on experience and learn how to communicate and network with stakeholders. I think it is a great way to get a degree and the managers and early careers team really look after you. You get to do 4 different placements so its a great way to get a broad understanding of the company.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Make sure you read up on what project management involves, be confident in the interview and think of questions they could ask beforehand. In the online interview look at the camera and don't speak to fast. Have a look at all the different area within the company before applying to one, there are so many opportunities to look in to.
