Assistant Project Manager Review
at Southampton City Council
Degree Apprenticeship
Project Management
Southampton
Review Submitted: March 2026
Overall Rating
4.4 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
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
As an Assistant Project Manager at Southampton City Council, I help keep projects organised and moving by supporting the people delivering them. Day to day, this means coordinating meetings, tracking tasks and deadlines, managing risks and issues, and making sure everyone involved has the information they need. I work with a wide mix of teams and external partners, which makes the role varied and challenging. I combine problem‑solving, organisation and communication to help projects stay on track and deliver the best value for the organisation.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoy my degree apprenticeship because it combines structured learning with real, day‑to‑day experience in the workplace. The programme gives me a clear framework for understanding project management principles, which I can apply immediately to the projects I’m working on. Learning alongside other project managers is a particular strength, as it creates space to share experiences, compare approaches and learn from different challenges. This mix of theory, practice and peer learning has helped me build confidence and strengthen my skills as I progress in my role.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I’ve developed both new and existing skills through my role and apprenticeship, particularly in project planning, risk management, stakeholder engagement and communication. I’m now more confident breaking work into manageable plans, identifying and managing risks early, and working with a wide range of people to keep projects moving. These skills build on the foundations I gained during my earlier apprenticeship in business administration, where I first developed core organisational and communication skills. The degree apprenticeship has helped me deepen and apply that learning in more complex, real‑world project settings.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is quite well structured to enable me to meet the obligations of both my apprenticeship and my day-to-day role. Working at a degree level has posed new challenges from a time-management perspective, encouraging me to plan out my assignments to meet the strict deadlines while delivering the best work I can.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer has been exceptionally supportive throughout both of my apprenticeship courses. My managers have been invested in my learning outcomes and have supported me by providing development opportunities such as work shadowing.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Contact with my training provider has been regular and the quality of teaching has been quite good. I've been given actionable and fair feedback on my assignments and there is plenty of additional support available should I require it. However, balancing a degree with my daily work has been difficult and greater flexibility on the part of the training provider would be appreciated.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Colleagues have commented that the standard of my work has increased noticeably since starting my apprenticeship. I have greater confidence when applying the principles that have been taught, and am better equipped to deliver high-quality project management for my organisation.
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
There are limited extra-curricular activities available through my organisation, but this is not a big driver for me since I already get involved in lots of things such as volunteering outside of work.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Southampton City Council to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Southampton City Council is a fair employer that places high value on the wellbeing of its staff (for example by allowing them to work flexibly), and, despite limited funds for professional development, does everything possible to support staff to progress in their careers. The nature of the Council's work also leads to positive social impact, which is rewarding to be part of.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Southampton City Council?
Bring passion and enthusiasm for delivering great services and improving residents' lives.
