National Apprenticeship Week

Abi Fielding is a Project Management Trainee at AlphaPlus Consultancy Ltd, an education service business that specialises in standards, assessment and certification. Their work spans the public and private sectors, schools, colleges, vocational and professional learning. 

Abi has completed a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship which covered many different aspects of business including project management.  Abi joined AlphaPlus in 2022 as a Project Management Trainee. She has worked on several high-profile projects and upskilled considerably to the point that she is now leading one of the organisation’s high-profile trialling projects.

Abi has transitioned to a role where she now mentors and trains more recent apprentices. She has also recently completed a project to improve the induction process for new starters which has been implemented company-wide and will result in increased efficiency and shared learning.

Abi has been an active student member of APM, attending conferences and hands-on workshops that helped her further develop her project management and leadership skills.

Here Abi talks to APM about her apprenticeship and why she thinks there should be greater awareness about apprenticeships and project management as a career choice:

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

I find it easier to learn practically with hands-on experience and wanted to develop my transferable skills alongside gaining knowledge and a qualification. I don’t think I would have progressed the way I have without being in the working environment.

What is it about project management that you enjoy?

I’ve enjoyed my personal growth and the trust that has been put into me along the way. I have developed from shadowing senior project managers on large projects, to running them independently in their absence and even leading my own projects.

I like the sense of pride I get when a project runs successfully, and when something goes wrong, I treat it as a learning experience and note it as a lesson learned for the future. It’s taught me the importance of transparency. I like the fact that things going wrong is part of the job because it makes you build and develop your problem solving and decision-making skills, as well as adaptability for the future; you can only get better at it!

Would you recommend apprenticeships to others? If so, why is this?

Yes, I believe apprenticeships offer a unique learning approach that can’t be found elsewhere, helping young people to kickstart their careers while gaining qualifications and real-life work experience with the additional benefits of a salary and having their foot in the door at a company after completion.

What projects have you, or are you currently working on at AlphaPlus?

The majority of my first year was spent supporting a senior project manager on the National Standardisation Assessment project for the Scottish Government, which is such a large project it requires two PMs, allowing me to be shown all the processes and procedure thoroughly before attempting them myself. However, since joining AlphaPlus I have worked across various projects both large and small. Most recently I have led my first two assessment trialling projects independently.

You now mentor and train other more recent apprentices, what do you enjoy about doing this?

I feel I can offer an additional level of support unique my colleagues who haven’t been an apprentice. I like how it makes me reflect on how far I’ve come and feel pride for both me and the people mentor.

Do you think there needs to be greater awareness about apprenticeships in schools/colleges?

Absolutely, I felt pushed by my sixth form to go to university without them offering or explaining any other alternatives. I thought I had no other option but to go to university, which isn’t true, university isn’t for everyone, and I wish I had known that sooner. I discovered my apprenticeship independently by actively seeking it after I had left college but feel like the support of my college would have made an immense difference.

Do you think there needs to be greater awareness of project management as a career choice? Many people tend to ‘fall into’ the ‘accidental project manager’

Yes, I agree. I knew little about project management when I found the job description. It was a career I definitely would have considered earlier if I have been made aware of it. Project management offers such a range of skills that can be transferable into so many job roles, I think more young people should know this.

Do you think that apprenticeships and other forms of on-the-job training are a solution to helping bridge the skills gap in project management and other professions?

Yes, definitely. As I said, university isn’t for everyone and that’s ok. I think starting my career so young and joining a company that only wants to support my growth has really helped my confidence and developed my skills in so many different areas.

Why did you choose to do a degree apprenticeship?

I chose to do a degree apprenticeship instead of going to university to have the opportunity to earn whilst I learn and stay debt free.

How did you find out about the degree apprenticeship with Mott MacDonald in the first place?

I already knew they had an office in Altrincham and when I left sixth form I was looking for a degree apprenticeship and a job advertisement for a degree apprenticeship at Mott MacDonald popped up based in Altrincham.

What appealed to you about doing a degree apprenticeship in project management?

Project management is a skill which is valuable in almost all industries.

Where are you completing your degree apprenticeship – which university, how many days a week do you do study v workplace?

I complete my degree apprenticeship through Northumbria University. I work 4 days a week and study 1 day a week.

When will you complete your degree apprenticeship? What are your career plans after you have graduated?

I will complete my degree apprenticeship in June 2025. My plan is to land a full time role in an industry I have a passion for.

What projects are you currently working on at Mott Mac?

I work on light rail projects.

Do you think there needs to be greater awareness about degree apprenticeships in schools/college?

100%. In sixth form there was a huge push to get every student to go to uni and very little talk about doing an apprenticeship instead. I had to do my own research and decided they were right for me.

Do you think that apprenticeships and other forms of on-the-job training are a solution to helping bridge the skills gap in project management and other professions?

I believe so. The opportunity and experience gained to learn on the job is invaluable.

Do you think there needs to be greater awareness of project management as a career choice?

I believe so. Project management is a skill which is required in so many industries and is a useful skill to have.

What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?

Maintain a good work/study balance and don’t leave uni work until the last minute!

Anything else you would like to add about your own personal experiences during your degree apprenticeship?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

I chose to do an apprenticeship because I wanted to gain more than just a qualification, I wanted real life experience as that’s where you really learn. National Highways offered me a great opportunity to gain qualifications whilst learning alongside seasoned professionals in their fields which has definitely helped me over the past two and half years, and led to me winning National Highways’ National Apprentice of the Year.

You have completed a Level 4 apprenticeship programme in PM with National Highways, how did you find out about the apprenticeship and what appealed to you about it?

I found out about the apprenticeship programme in project management due to a teacher at my school knowing a previous student who had already completed the exact same route with National Highways. Apprenticeships always appealed to me, this was because I could earn while learning and not build a huge debt through going to university and studying for a degree. Also, the opportunity to gain experience I think is invaluable and helps towards developing as a professional and a person.

What do you most enjoy about project management?

I enjoy the problem solving. There are so many variables on a project that there is always a risk of something going wrong and it’s my job to make sure we plan and execute projects so that we minimise that risk; however to be honest I enjoy how challenging it can be when it doesn’t go to plan and I have to create a solution to the problem!

Would you recommend apprenticeships to others? If so, why is this?

I would highly recommend apprenticeships to everyone! This is because you still gain recognised qualifications that recruiters are after, and you get paid while working towards getting that qualification. You also gain experience that some jobs require and a clear pathway to an excellent career. Finally, you gain a network of professionals that you can learn from, gain their experiences and also to lean on when needed.

What projects have you, or are you currently working on in your current role?

I work as a Junior Assistant Project Manager currently working in the Major Project Directorate on M2 Junction 5 Improvement scheme in construction. In addition to this major project, I am also leading on a handful of designated funds applications at multiple stages from the concept stage, through detailed design and now construction in the upcoming months. Designated funds are smaller projects that concentrate on added value in the surrounding areas e.g. additional planting and public right of way improvements.

Do you think there needs to be greater awareness about apprenticeships in schools/college?

I always felt more could be done at school/college as they would touch on apprenticeships but never really go into detail about them. In my opinion, we were always advised to apply to university as this would provide the best opportunities, which looking back I am glad I didn’t follow the trend.

Do you think there needs to be greater awareness of project management as a career choice?  Many people tend to ‘fall into’ the ‘accidental project manager’

I think there could be so much done with awareness of project management as a career,  as until my teacher told me about it I didn’t have a clue and it was something I fell into myself. I feel there are so many different types of project management that there is something out there for everyone.

Do you think that apprenticeships and other forms of on-the-job training are a solution to helping bridge the skills gap in project management and other professions?  

Yes, in addition to all the qualifications out there to support the learning.

Anything else you would like to add about your own personal experiences during your apprenticeship?

During my apprenticeship I quickly learnt that the best way to learn was to ask questions and be curious. My personal experience has been amazing and something I look back on and try to inform others about how good apprenticeships are which is why I took this opportunity with APM to share my views. I have been very fortunate with the people around me who have supported me and given me the exposure I need to keep developing and National Highways as a whole, who have been great.