Degree Apprentice Project Manager Review
at Mott MacDonald
Degree Apprenticeship
Project Management
Birmingham
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.3 /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!
4/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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:
4/5
I love my job. whenever anyone askes me, whether that is colleagues, family or people interested in joining the company. I always express my love for my job. I get to learn about project management and apply that to real life projects. I have worked For Great British Nuclear, East West Rail and Child works.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
One of the things I enjoy most about my degree apprenticeship is the balance between academic learning and practical, real‑world experience. Being able to apply what I learn through my studies directly to live projects at work really helps to solidify my understanding and makes the learning feel meaningful and relevant. This hands‑on application not only reinforces theoretical concepts, but also allows me to see the impact of my work in a professional setting, which supports my development and confidence.
Additionally, the apprenticeship has significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth by broadening my experience and exposure within the organisation. The level of support I receive from my team is exceptional and truly unmatched. They are always willing to offer guidance, share their knowledge, and provide reassurance when needed, which creates a positive and encouraging learning environment. This supportive culture has played a key role in helping me develop my skills, take on new challenges, and progress confidently within my role.
Additionally, the apprenticeship has significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth by broadening my experience and exposure within the organisation. The level of support I receive from my team is exceptional and truly unmatched. They are always willing to offer guidance, share their knowledge, and provide reassurance when needed, which creates a positive and encouraging learning environment. This supportive culture has played a key role in helping me develop my skills, take on new challenges, and progress confidently within my role.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Throughout my degree apprenticeship, I have developed a wide range of new skills, both professionally and personally. One of the most significant areas of growth for me has been my confidence. When I first started the programme, I often lacked confidence in speaking up, sharing my ideas, and trusting my own abilities. However, through continuous exposure to real projects, presentations, and stakeholder interactions, my confidence has grown massively.
I have developed strong communication skills, particularly in professional settings, which has enabled me to contribute more effectively in meetings and collaborate confidently with colleagues at different levels of the organisation. I have also improved my organisational and time‑management skills by balancing academic deadlines alongside work responsibilities, ensuring I remain focused and productive.
I have developed strong communication skills, particularly in professional settings, which has enabled me to contribute more effectively in meetings and collaborate confidently with colleagues at different levels of the organisation. I have also improved my organisational and time‑management skills by balancing academic deadlines alongside work responsibilities, ensuring I remain focused and productive.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Overall, the programme is well structured, particularly from an employer perspective. My employer is extremely organised in how the degree apprenticeship is delivered, with clear expectations, strong line management support, and meaningful opportunities to apply learning in the workplace. The structure provided by my employer has allowed me to develop confidently while balancing work and study commitments effectively.
The programme also offers valuable opportunities through events that bring apprentices together. These events help to create a sense of community, encourage the sharing of experiences, and support networking across different teams and disciplines. In addition, the support provided by the colleges is strong, with tutors and training staff readily available to offer guidance when needed.
The training providers are supportive, particularly through the skills coaches, who regularly check in, provide feedback, and help track progress against the apprenticeship requirements. However, I do believe there is room for improvement in terms of organisation. At times, communication and scheduling from the training provider could be clearer and more consistent, which would help apprentices plan their workload more effectively alongside their professional responsibilities.
The programme also offers valuable opportunities through events that bring apprentices together. These events help to create a sense of community, encourage the sharing of experiences, and support networking across different teams and disciplines. In addition, the support provided by the colleges is strong, with tutors and training staff readily available to offer guidance when needed.
The training providers are supportive, particularly through the skills coaches, who regularly check in, provide feedback, and help track progress against the apprenticeship requirements. However, I do believe there is room for improvement in terms of organisation. At times, communication and scheduling from the training provider could be clearer and more consistent, which would help apprentices plan their workload more effectively alongside their professional responsibilities.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
receive a significant amount of support from my employer, which has been a key factor in my success on the degree apprenticeship programme. My team is extremely supportive and always willing to provide guidance, reassurance, and feedback whenever needed. This has helped create a safe and encouraging environment where I feel comfortable asking questions and developing my skills.
My line manager is particularly supportive in ensuring I am able to balance my work responsibilities alongside my academic commitments. I am given the flexibility and understanding needed to manage deadlines, attend training, and fully engage with my studies. Regular check‑ins and open communication mean that any challenges can be addressed early and constructively.
My line manager is particularly supportive in ensuring I am able to balance my work responsibilities alongside my academic commitments. I am given the flexibility and understanding needed to manage deadlines, attend training, and fully engage with my studies. Regular check‑ins and open communication mean that any challenges can be addressed early and constructively.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The training provider offers a good level of support throughout the programme. The skills coaches are approachable and supportive, regularly checking in to review progress, provide guidance, and ensure apprenticeship requirements are being met. They are helpful when it comes to offering reassurance and advice, particularly around portfolios, reviews, and overall development. However, there are some areas where the support could be improved. At times, organisation and communication from the training provider could be clearer and more consistent. Improved scheduling, clearer expectations, and more timely information would help apprentices plan their workloads more effectively alongside their professional responsibilities.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I feel that my qualification supports me well in performing better in my role, particularly by strengthening my knowledge base and reinforcing best practice within project management. The learning provided through the training provider gives me a solid theoretical foundation, which I am then able to apply directly to real‑life projects in the workplace. This connection between theory and practice helps me make more informed decisions and approach tasks with greater confidence.
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 a range of extra‑curricular activities to get involved in at work. We have apprentice forums that allow apprentices to connect, share experiences, and contribute ideas that help shape the wider apprentice community. These forums are a great opportunity for networking and peer support across different roles and levels.
There are also ECP events, which provide valuable opportunities for professional development, networking, and learning from others across the organisation. In addition, there are opportunities to take on additional roles and responsibilities alongside day‑to‑day work, such as involvement in initiatives, working groups, or support schemes. These activities help broaden experience, build confidence, and support both professional and personal development beyond the core role.
There are also ECP events, which provide valuable opportunities for professional development, networking, and learning from others across the organisation. In addition, there are opportunities to take on additional roles and responsibilities alongside day‑to‑day work, such as involvement in initiatives, working groups, or support schemes. These activities help broaden experience, build confidence, and support both professional and personal development beyond the core role.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Mott MacDonald to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend Mott MacDonald to a friend because of the supportive, inclusive, and development‑focused culture. From my experience, the company genuinely invests in its people, particularly early‑career professionals and apprentices, by providing strong guidance, opportunities to grow, and meaningful work that makes a real impact.
The level of support I receive from my team and wider network is exceptional. There is a strong emphasis on learning and development, with opportunities to work on real projects, attend events, and get involved in initiatives outside of day‑to‑day responsibilities. This has helped me build confidence, develop new skills, and feel valued within the organisation.
Mott MacDonald also offers a wide range of extra‑curricular and professional development opportunities, such as apprentice forums, ECP events, and additional roles, which help broaden experience and encourage collaboration across the business. The workplace culture is positive, welcoming, and encouraging, making it a great environment to learn, grow, and build a long‑term career.
The level of support I receive from my team and wider network is exceptional. There is a strong emphasis on learning and development, with opportunities to work on real projects, attend events, and get involved in initiatives outside of day‑to‑day responsibilities. This has helped me build confidence, develop new skills, and feel valued within the organisation.
Mott MacDonald also offers a wide range of extra‑curricular and professional development opportunities, such as apprentice forums, ECP events, and additional roles, which help broaden experience and encourage collaboration across the business. The workplace culture is positive, welcoming, and encouraging, making it a great environment to learn, grow, and build a long‑term career.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Mott MacDonald?
My main tip would be to be yourself and show genuine enthusiasm for both the role and the company. Mott MacDonald values people who are keen to learn, open to feedback, and willing to get involved, so it’s important to let your personality come through in your application.
I would also recommend researching the company thoroughly. Understanding Mott MacDonald’s values, the type of projects it works on, and its commitment to sustainability and people development will help you tailor your application and give stronger, more relevant examples.
Another key tip is to highlight transferable skills, even if you don’t have direct industry experience. Skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, and problem‑solving are highly valued, especially for apprenticeship roles. Using real examples from work, education, or extracurricular activities can really strengthen your application.
I would also recommend researching the company thoroughly. Understanding Mott MacDonald’s values, the type of projects it works on, and its commitment to sustainability and people development will help you tailor your application and give stronger, more relevant examples.
Another key tip is to highlight transferable skills, even if you don’t have direct industry experience. Skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, and problem‑solving are highly valued, especially for apprenticeship roles. Using real examples from work, education, or extracurricular activities can really strengthen your application.
