Project Management Apprenticeship Review
at Department for Education
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Project Management
Sheffield
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
5/5
-
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
My role was to be a project management assistant across a range of different areas in the Department for Education. My role saw me work on commercial projects (including the procurement of a construction framework which is now shaping how we build our school estate nationally) HR projects (focussed on how we better the wellbeing of staff across the organisation) and public facing roles (such as operational delivery). The department gives you 7 hours per week to focus on your apprenticeship (with more if you wish to have it)!
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoyed learning about different elements of project management and then getting real hands-on experience in my role. Particularly it was good to apply practice straight away and learn from seasoned professionals.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes! So many... Since completing my apprenticeship I have come into a managerial position. The apprenticeship boosted not only my project management skills but overall skills on how to be in the workplace, how to communicate effectively, how to balance workloads (with study), having a healthy relationship with work, networking, confidence and many other things...
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The Project Management Apprenticeship requires you to be self-motivated, there is only one deadline (the end date of the apprenticeship) where you need EVERYTHING submitted... So if you wanted to, you could leave everything until the last day to submit 15 assignments.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
So much support - we have a range of things available to us as apprentices: We have regular 121s with our line manager to discuss progress, we have an apprenticeship network where you can go and speak with other apprentices. You have the ability to have a mentor. If you want to go shadow in another team, you can. The possibilities are endless and you can get support for just about any concern you have.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
The apprenticeship provider was OK, but sometimes they required pushing by the Department (and my line manager) to deliver what they said they would be delivering on.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Yes, very much so. It gives you a sense of confidence and belonging being qualified. I'd also say it's opened doors for me (I've been promoted).
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
Yes - there are social events you can join in at (such as the Apprenticeship Network, Young People Network, Neurodiverse Network).
There are also conferences that you can attend if you want. There are in work socials like "coffee connect" where you meet with random strangers across the organisation.
You can also take on additional learning and development opportunities such as speaking at schools, colleges, UCAS fairs about your experiences.
There are also conferences that you can attend if you want. There are in work socials like "coffee connect" where you meet with random strangers across the organisation.
You can also take on additional learning and development opportunities such as speaking at schools, colleges, UCAS fairs about your experiences.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Department for Education to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It's a supportive employer for apprenticeships. As the Department for Education, everyone who comes into it usually has a genuine passion for education (so it's supportive of upskilling its workforce). Most of the things we deliver in the department are delivering real life impact for people across the country, so you feel like your job is worthwhile and you're doing something that's actively impacting others (for the better).
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Department for Education?
Read the GOV.UK guidance on how to apply for a civil service job - It's not like a regular interview process you NEED to be prepared.
