Product Stakeholder Engagement Manager Review
at City & Guilds
Level 4/5 Apprenticeship
Business Management
Cheshire
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.6 /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
4.4/5
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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 have been employed in this role for the past 3 years, however, in April 2025 I successfully enrolled onto the Level 5 Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management. I have studied alongside my full-time job, which is heavily involved in Stakeholder Management. I work within the Product Directorate, liaising with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure we have the support required to produce high quality products informed by employers. I manage processes and ensure the stakeholder journey is a positive experience. I work closely with Industry Managers, and colleagues from Development and Assessment to ensure we have a range of employer stakeholders to support our developments. I help to manage the employer registration process and work closely with the Associate and Contracting team to onboard employers.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship because it has helped me develop both my skills and my confidence. It gave me the opportunity to learn in a real working environment while also gaining new knowledge through training. One of the things I enjoyed most was being able to apply what I learned straight away, which made the experience more practical and rewarding.
Throughout my apprenticeship, I have built important skills such as communication, teamwork and time management. For example, working with different colleagues helped me learn how to communicate professionally and adapt to different situations. I have also gained industry‑specific skills that I know will be useful for my future career.
This apprenticeship has been a positive and valuable experience. It has helped me grow personally and professionally, and it has given me a clearer idea of my strengths and career goals.
Throughout my apprenticeship, I have built important skills such as communication, teamwork and time management. For example, working with different colleagues helped me learn how to communicate professionally and adapt to different situations. I have also gained industry‑specific skills that I know will be useful for my future career.
This apprenticeship has been a positive and valuable experience. It has helped me grow personally and professionally, and it has given me a clearer idea of my strengths and career goals.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship as it has helped me develop practical skills that I now use confidently in my role. One key area of development has been conflict resolution and managing challenging conversations. Through the training, I learned how to approach difficult discussions calmly and professionally, focusing on active listening and understanding different perspectives. As a result, I feel more confident addressing issues early, clarifying expectations, and resolving concerns in a constructive way while maintaining positive working relationships.
Another important skill I have developed is time management. Learning about Eisenhower’s Matrix on the course helped me understand how to prioritise tasks more effectively by separating what is urgent from what is important. I now use this approach to plan my workload, manage competing deadlines, and focus my time on tasks that add the most value. This has improved my productivity and helped me feel more organised and less stressed.
Overall, the apprenticeship has been a very valuable experience. It has strengthened my communication, problem‑solving, and organisational skills, and has supported my personal and professional development.
Another important skill I have developed is time management. Learning about Eisenhower’s Matrix on the course helped me understand how to prioritise tasks more effectively by separating what is urgent from what is important. I now use this approach to plan my workload, manage competing deadlines, and focus my time on tasks that add the most value. This has improved my productivity and helped me feel more organised and less stressed.
Overall, the apprenticeship has been a very valuable experience. It has strengthened my communication, problem‑solving, and organisational skills, and has supported my personal and professional development.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
I have found the programme to be very well organised and clearly structured. The regular 1:1 meetings with my tutor have been particularly helpful and effective. These sessions provided dedicated time to review my Personal Development Plan (PDP), reflect on what I had learned since our previous meeting, and discuss any challenges or areas where I needed further support. This structure helped keep me focused and accountable throughout the programme.
I have also really enjoyed the workshops. Attending them alongside fellow apprentices created a supportive learning environment and encouraged shared learning and discussion. The format of the workshops was well planned, engaging, and easy to follow, with clear objectives and opportunities to apply learning to real‑life situations.
The balance between 1:1 support and group workshops made the programme feel cohesive, supportive, and effective.
I have also really enjoyed the workshops. Attending them alongside fellow apprentices created a supportive learning environment and encouraged shared learning and discussion. The format of the workshops was well planned, engaging, and easy to follow, with clear objectives and opportunities to apply learning to real‑life situations.
The balance between 1:1 support and group workshops made the programme feel cohesive, supportive, and effective.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I have received strong and consistent support from my employer throughout the programme. The drop‑in sessions with the leadership and management cohort were particularly valuable, as they provided opportunities to ask questions, share experiences, and feel connected to others undertaking similar development. These sessions helped create a supportive learning culture and reinforced the organisation’s commitment to the apprenticeship.
I have also had several opportunities to provide feedback on my experiences during the programme, which made me feel listened to and supported. My line manager has been especially supportive, and we adapted our regular 1:1 meetings to include dedicated time to discuss my apprenticeship progress, learning, and any challenges. This ongoing support helped me stay on track and apply my learning effectively in my role.
I have also had several opportunities to provide feedback on my experiences during the programme, which made me feel listened to and supported. My line manager has been especially supportive, and we adapted our regular 1:1 meetings to include dedicated time to discuss my apprenticeship progress, learning, and any challenges. This ongoing support helped me stay on track and apply my learning effectively in my role.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I have received consistent support from the training provider throughout the programme. I particularly valued the regular opportunities to share feedback on my experience. This reflective approach helped ensure the programme continued to meet my learning needs as it progressed.
I also appreciated the variety of ways feedback could be provided, including more informal methods such as responding to text messages. This made it easy and accessible to share honest and timely reflections alongside more structured reviews.
I also appreciated the variety of ways feedback could be provided, including more informal methods such as responding to text messages. This made it easy and accessible to share honest and timely reflections alongside more structured reviews.
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 the qualification has supported me significantly in performing better in my role. The learning is clearly aligned with real workplace challenges, which has made it both relevant and easy to apply in practice. A particularly valuable aspect has been the focus on project management, as completing a live project as part of the apprenticeship allowed me to put theory into action.
Through this project, I have developed skills in planning, setting clear objectives, managing stakeholders, and monitoring progress against timescales. I have also gained a better understanding of risk management and how to adapt plans when challenges arise. These skills are directly transferable to my role and have increased my confidence in managing complex tasks and initiatives more effectively.
Overall, the qualification has strengthened my ability to work in a structured, strategic way, improved my problem‑solving skills, and helped me deliver work more efficiently. It has had a clear and positive impact on my effectiveness and professional development.
Through this project, I have developed skills in planning, setting clear objectives, managing stakeholders, and monitoring progress against timescales. I have also gained a better understanding of risk management and how to adapt plans when challenges arise. These skills are directly transferable to my role and have increased my confidence in managing complex tasks and initiatives more effectively.
Overall, the qualification has strengthened my ability to work in a structured, strategic way, improved my problem‑solving skills, and helped me deliver work more efficiently. It has had a clear and positive impact on my effectiveness and professional development.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
I have access to online community groups through my organisation, as well as opportunities to attend relevant networking events when appropriate.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend City & Guilds to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend working for City & Guilds because of the organisation’s strong commitment to staff development. I have found City & Guilds to be genuinely supportive of continuous learning, giving employees access to a wide range of development opportunities, including mentoring and professional development support.
I have particularly valued the availability of online learning resources and courses, which make it easy to upskill and develop new knowledge alongside my day‑to‑day role. This flexible approach has allowed me to take ownership of my own development and work towards my career goals at a pace that fits around my responsibilities.
Overall, I feel City & Guilds invests in its people and promotes a positive learning culture. It is a supportive environment where growth, progression, and lifelong learning are encouraged, which is why I would see it as a great place for others to work and develop professionally.
I have particularly valued the availability of online learning resources and courses, which make it easy to upskill and develop new knowledge alongside my day‑to‑day role. This flexible approach has allowed me to take ownership of my own development and work towards my career goals at a pace that fits around my responsibilities.
Overall, I feel City & Guilds invests in its people and promotes a positive learning culture. It is a supportive environment where growth, progression, and lifelong learning are encouraged, which is why I would see it as a great place for others to work and develop professionally.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to City & Guilds?
If you want to find out more about working for City & Guilds, the website is a useful place to start. It clearly explains what the organisation does, including its products, services, and wider mission, and gives a good insight into its values and working culture.
The careers section is particularly helpful, as it outlines development opportunities, flexibility, and employee benefits, making it easy to understand how City & Guilds supports and invests in its people.
The careers section is particularly helpful, as it outlines development opportunities, flexibility, and employee benefits, making it easy to understand how City & Guilds supports and invests in its people.
