Project Assistant Review
at Mace Consult
Degree Apprenticeship
Project Management
Manchester
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
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Skills Development
5/5
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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
I currently support the RDCP scheme at HMP Deerbolt as a Project Assistant, where I play a key role in coordinating project activity, maintaining governance, and ensuring smooth delivery across the programme. Day to day, I attend and contribute to progress meetings, programme reviews, reporting sessions, partnering calls, and action meetings, providing clear updates and helping drive momentum. I manage and maintain a range of project trackers to monitor key deliverables, risks, dependencies, and commercial movements, ensuring information is accurate, consistent, and visible to the wider team. I lead the preparation and distribution of meeting minutes, action plans, and weekly progress materials, making sure decisions, responsibilities, and deadlines are captured and followed through. I am actively involved in change control processes, drafting and tracking EWNs and CVIs to support the management of project risks, commercial impacts, and contractual compliance. My role also includes stakeholder coordination, document control, and supporting the project manager in maintaining programme alignment, contractual adherence, and efficient delivery of project objectives. In addition to these responsibilities, I lead handover activities on-site and present materials to key stakeholders, ensuring clarity, smooth transitions, and a shared understanding of completed works and upcoming phases.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I genuinely enjoy the work I do on the RDCP scheme because it gives me the chance to be right at the heart of a live, fast‑moving project where every day teaches me something new. Being involved in meetings, change control, stakeholder engagement, and on‑site handovers has really helped me grow in confidence and capability, especially as I’m trusted to take ownership of key tasks and represent the project professionally. I like the variety — one moment I’m deep in trackers and documentation, the next I’m presenting information on-site or coordinating with different teams — and that mix keeps me motivated and engaged. This role is developing me into a more organised, proactive, and commercially aware project professional, and I can feel myself becoming more capable and confident with each responsibility I take on.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I’ve developed a strong set of skills through my work on the RDCP scheme, particularly in areas that are essential for effective project delivery. I’ve strengthened my communication and stakeholder management abilities by coordinating with a wide range of teams and confidently presenting information on-site. My organisation and time‑management skills have grown through maintaining detailed trackers, managing documentation, and ensuring actions and deadlines are consistently met. I’ve built solid analytical and problem‑solving skills by supporting change control processes, assessing impacts, and helping manage risks and issues. My role has also enhanced my attention to detail, especially when preparing minutes, reviewing programme information, and ensuring contractual alignment. On top of this, I’ve developed greater commercial awareness, a deeper understanding of project governance, and the confidence to take ownership of tasks and lead handover activities. All of these skills are shaping me into a more capable and well‑rounded project professional.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
From my perspective, the programme is very well organised and structured, which makes it much easier for me to understand what’s expected and how my role fits into the wider delivery. There are clear processes in place for progress reporting, change control, stakeholder communication, and documentation, and I can see how each part links together to support consistent governance. The regular rhythm of meetings, action reviews, and programme updates gives the project a strong sense of direction, while the use of trackers, structured handovers, and formal documentation ensures nothing gets lost or overlooked. Having this level of structure has helped me develop quickly because I’m working within a framework that’s both disciplined and supportive, giving me the confidence to take ownership of tasks and understand how good project management should operate in a live environment.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I feel really well supported by my employer, both in terms of day‑to‑day guidance and my longer‑term development. I have regular access to my project manager and wider team, who are always willing to answer questions, explain processes, and involve me in tasks that help build my confidence and capability. I’m trusted with meaningful responsibilities but never left without direction — there’s always someone available to provide clarity or steer me in the right way when needed. My apprenticeship is also supported through structured learning, feedback, and opportunities to apply new skills directly in the project environment, which makes the development feel practical and relevant. Overall, the combination of hands‑on experience, approachable colleagues, and consistent guidance has made me feel valued, encouraged, and able to grow quickly in my role.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive a strong level of support from my training provider, and it makes a real difference to how confidently I’m able to work toward my qualifications. They provide clear guidance on what’s expected at each stage of the apprenticeship, and they check in regularly to review my progress, answer questions, and help me link my on‑the‑job experience to the academic requirements. The feedback I receive is constructive and tailored, which helps me understand where I’m improving and where I can push myself further. I also feel supported through structured learning sessions, accessible resources, and the reassurance that I can reach out whenever I need clarification or direction. Overall, the support from my training provider helps me stay on track, stay motivated, and continue developing both professionally and academically.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that my qualification really supports me in performing better in my role because it gives me the theoretical understanding and structured frameworks that sit behind the practical work I do every day. The apprenticeship content helps me make sense of why certain processes exist — like change control, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and programme governance — and that makes me more confident when applying them on the RDCP scheme. It also helps me develop skills in communication, planning, and analysis that I can immediately put into practice, which makes the learning feel relevant and valuable. The combination of real project experience and structured training means I’m not just doing tasks, I’m understanding the reasoning behind them, and that’s helping me grow into a more capable and well‑rounded project professional.
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 definitely extra‑curricular activities to get involved in, and I really enjoy taking part in them. There are always events happening in the Manchester office, including things like Padel sessions, which I like to get involved in whenever I can. These activities are a great way to meet people from different teams, build relationships outside of day‑to‑day project work, and feel more connected to the wider organisation. It creates a nice balance between professional development and social interaction, and it makes the overall working environment feel more engaging and enjoyable.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Mace Consult to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Yes, I would recommend Mace Consult. My experience so far has been really positive — the projects are engaging, the culture is supportive, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn, grow, and get involved in meaningful work. I’ve felt valued as part of the team, trusted with real responsibility, and encouraged to develop both professionally and personally. The mix of structured support, hands‑on experience, and a genuinely collaborative environment makes it a place where you can build confidence and progress quickly
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Mace Consult?
I’d tell anyone applying to Mace Consult to really show their curiosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn, because those qualities go a long way here. It’s a place that values people who take initiative, ask good questions, and genuinely want to understand how projects work in the real world. I’d also recommend being open to getting involved in different tasks and not being afraid to step outside your comfort zone — the more you put yourself forward, the more opportunities you’ll get.
