Project Manager Review
at Arcadis
Degree Apprenticeship
Project Management
Leeds
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
2.5 /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!
1.5/5
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Overview of Role
2/5
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Skills Development
2.6/5
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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:
2/5
My role details entail supporting more senior Project Managers with ad hoc admin tasks in order to assist on meeting project deadlines. The role description includes supporting scheduling, building client relationships, contract management, budget management, site visits, etc however I have not experienced these as of now.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
1/5
I don't really enjoy my programme. I feel like there is no structure to the apprenticeship scheme; it feels as if you enter the company and then get left to fend for yourself. I don't know what skills I am supposed to be meeting at certain milestones and have no contact with the Early Careers team.
I was very shocked that there was no project lined up for myself, and some other apprentices, when we started and we were told to 'find one' or 'wait for one to come up'. I managed to get onto a project in November through talking to someone at a social event however within 6 months, I don't feel I have learnt much about project management or even like I am on an actual project. I have one meeting a week (which more often than not is cancelled) for the project and haven't done much more than send emails reminding people to fill in documents since I got onboarded. I have brought this up multiple times and have always been told 'work is coming', but it never did or if it did it was the same as before.
I have had to fill my time by doing non-billable work, a few examples being Arcadis Forces, MPA and competing in the APM Project Management challenge from Oct-May, however even with multiple streams of non-billable work, I don't have enough work to do to fill more than 3/4 hours a day.
I have enjoyed networking however this is roughly one day a month and again, not project focused.
I was very shocked that there was no project lined up for myself, and some other apprentices, when we started and we were told to 'find one' or 'wait for one to come up'. I managed to get onto a project in November through talking to someone at a social event however within 6 months, I don't feel I have learnt much about project management or even like I am on an actual project. I have one meeting a week (which more often than not is cancelled) for the project and haven't done much more than send emails reminding people to fill in documents since I got onboarded. I have brought this up multiple times and have always been told 'work is coming', but it never did or if it did it was the same as before.
I have had to fill my time by doing non-billable work, a few examples being Arcadis Forces, MPA and competing in the APM Project Management challenge from Oct-May, however even with multiple streams of non-billable work, I don't have enough work to do to fill more than 3/4 hours a day.
I have enjoyed networking however this is roughly one day a month and again, not project focused.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
2/5
I have learnt more about Excel, PowerBI, and how to act in professional environments. I have done some training modules on Health and Safety training
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
There is definitely no structure to the programme. The only structure I have is from my university - we are told at the start of the modules what we are expected to have learnt each week/month and when important dates are in.
From Arcadis, I know what competencies I am supposed to have achieved by the end of the program in order to get my chartership but nothing for any shorter time periods so don't have any short term goals.
From Arcadis, I know what competencies I am supposed to have achieved by the end of the program in order to get my chartership but nothing for any shorter time periods so don't have any short term goals.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I get a lot of support from my line manager and people in my internal team. I know who I would reach out to in my team if I had a query.
I don't receive any support from the Early Careers team.
I don't receive any support from the Early Careers team.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
My training provider are very supportive in terms of one-on-one support, assignment feedback and quarterly touchpoints with myself and my line manager. I enjoy the content on the course and have constant access to support.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
At this moment in time, most of the content I learn isn't directly relevant to project work as the University content is very technical in terms of the module learning, but it helps understanding some processes that are mentioned at work in conversations.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
We have a monthly team meeting and social event. There are occasionally social events at my home office as well (roughly once every 2 months). There is a Project Management course I am on which has in person events 4 months and they are really great for networking and socialising.
I'm not aware of any sport teams at the moment.
I'm not aware of any sport teams at the moment.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Arcadis to a friend?
No
Why?
Currently from my experience as an apprentice, I wouldn't recommend Arcadis for an apprenticeship as it feels like the company is so big that you get left behind and have to 'fend for yourself' in terms of getting relevant and meaningful work. I've heard other apprentices are getting on fine with good projects so it seems to be very hit or miss, again highlighting the issues with the structure of the scheme.
I can see the potential in the company as a non apprentice role however I do not experience this.
I can see the potential in the company as a non apprentice role however I do not experience this.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Arcadis?
Make the most of the socials as its great to make a network and be persistent if you are unhappy - I've found that you have to bring something up to the same person at least 3 times for it to have an impact.
