Project Management Degree Apprentice Review

I've rotated around different areas of the business, but my current substantive role (and proposed permanent role at the end of my scheme) is in IT Asset Management. I find this area really interesting, and was not what I expected when I started (in a positive way!). However, the ability to relate it to my Project Management course and experience is limited, as this is an area mainly consisting of Business As Usual (BAU) tasks.

It is clear to me who my Line Manager is, where I can go for support both through work and the university, and overall I've been engaged with all these areas when needed. I do feel my apprenticeship was 'experimental', in that it was not always clear where my rotations would be and how this related to my course, but I have seen significant improvements in how the course is structured within the workplace for new apprentices, based on the feedback I've given.

My line manager is incredibly supportive, understanding and encouraging, as are the schemes specialists who have strived to make the course as flexible, manageable and engaging as possible. All mentioned parties are open to feedback, and know me on a personal level which has helped to make my experience so positive. It is hard to manage a full time work, life and university balance, but both my line manager and schemes specialists have made it easier for me to ask for this time where needed, and overall have been significant in making the course as good as it is.

The University have fully facilitated my degree, as well as training for my APM PMQ and preparations for my Apprenticeship EPA. The BBC as my employer have allowed me sufficient time within my work schedule to accommodate this learning, with line management and other colleagues offering their time to practice presentations and even read through my essays prior to submission, which goes above and beyond my expectations. The schemes specialists make an extra effort to be completely aware of our schedules when it comes to this learning, and communicate this effectively with other work colleagues to ensure that I have been appropriately supported and not too overwhelmed with my schedule.

It is not solely the qualification, but the combination of consistent application of what I've learnt with what I do in my daily role. I feel my degree in project management will be beneficial in my pursuit of future careers if required, but my extensive working experience and opportunities through my workplace are more advantageous than just the learning alone. The additional Apprenticeship and APM PMQ qualifications are great examples of my value as an individual, and these wouldn't have been possible through just work or the degree alone (although my workplace do offer opportunities for further development of skills or education if I wanted to pursue these at a later date).

Yes

It is a great place to work overall - my team are very relaxed and the work we do is important, challenging and varied. As an apprentice, I've recommended the BBC to other prospective apprentices because I feel I've had the best balance of working experience, other interesting opportunities such as shadowing or participation in BBC-related work away from my primary course, as well as the high level of support from management/schemes specialists. Overall, I am always happy this is the route I chose for myself out of school.