GH Display Apprenticeship Programme

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship, and why project management?

There was a consensus among our apprentices that they initially chose to pursue a degree apprenticeship because it offered something different to traditional full-time university study- a route which didn’t quite feel like the right fit for them. Instead, the opportunity to gain a degree while building valuable professional experience and earn a wage at the same time was an attractive alternative for them.

Project management particularly appealed because of the breadth of skills it develops, and the range of career prospects it leaves open for them.

Emily:  When I was deciding what to do, I knew people older than me at the time who had gone down the Project Management route and found it to be a good foundation for your career.

Hope: I took a gap year before deciding on my next professional move because I wanted to make sure I made the right decision for me. I chose project management, specifically, as it’s a widely recognised qualification, and in comparison to other apprenticeships available, it was the most interesting.

Zak: I initially came to GH for work experience in Year 12 where I had the chance to work and shadow different departments, so when I heard about the apprenticeship opportunity a year later, I decided to apply- it was too good to pass up. I saw it as a chance to gain a degree whilst gaining hands-on experience- this opportunity truly was the best of both worlds.

What expectations did you have beforehand, and one year on what is the reality?

Zak: I initially thought we would be doing the same thing every day, that it would feel repetitive, but realised there’s a lot more to the role which keeps me on my toes. I’m always kept busy with different types of tasks which keeps the days exciting.

Hope: I had ideas of what working in an office would be like, that it’d be very formal, quiet, or even isolating, but it’s been the complete opposite. The working environment is better than I expected- it has been fun, light-hearted and comfortable. It’s a more interactive and collaborative experience than I was initially expecting.

Adding on to this, Emily said it felt as if we were a family at GH, as you feel supported at every step.

Have there been challenges along the way?

Emily: Plenty- but it’s not as if we knew what we were doing straight away. It’s always a learning curve, but you just have to work through the challenges case by case as they come. You’ll find that issues arise that you really weren’t expecting, but as a result you learn how to act under pressure and within time constraints.

Zak: Yes, but we’ve always felt supported in those moments

Hope: I’ve found it’s good having other apprentices alongside you in those moments too- you can connect and support one another. Also you each understand the dynamic between work and uni work, which can be its own challenge.

What can you do now that you couldn’t do a year ago?

Hope: I can work a lot more independently. A task like liaising with a customer or supplier over the phone was once quite difficult and made me anxious, but I’m much more confident in doing it now.

Emily: I’ve definitely gained more confidence in communicating with people- through emails, over the phone and in person.

Zak: Starting out, it took a few months to learn and get to grips with everything, but I feel more confident now in correcting mistakes and asking for help than I was at the start.

Is there an important lesson you have learnt whilst working here that you would pass on to someone starting their own apprenticeship journey?

Emily: Make friends with everyone- I mean, you don’t have to like or get on with everyone, but in such a collaborative environment like this one where you’re constantly working between teams and requesting certain jobs, you can’t hold on to grudges or pick and choose. It makes life easier just being kind and considerate and reduces any tension.

Summary: Build professional relationships

Hope: I’ve found communication is key- not just with your external contacts, but internal too. Sometimes the worst mistakes come from a lack of communication, so ensuring that line of contact is established is super helpful- even if it’s a simple follow up email after a call to confirm what was discussed.

Summary: Make sure communication is a top priority

Zak: Be honest with mistakes- you can’t be expected to know everything, or know how to correct a mistake alone, so being comfortable in owning up to them and asking for help is the best way to improve and grow in the work environment. Most of your learning comes from making mistakes anyway, but on that, do always aim to pay the utmost attention to detail.

Summary: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and be honest.

Has the apprenticeship changed how you see yourselves professionally?

The three of them agreed that, overall, they feel more confident within themselves, and have a fuller understanding of what working for a business is now like. They feel as if they have already been given a solid knowledge base of a project management position, and as a result don’t think they will be caught out or surprised in the remaining two years of their programme.

Will you continue to pursue project management after your apprenticeship?

Each apprentice said they would more than likely remain in project management due to the career progression but acknowledged that with two more years left on the scheme they still have a lot of experiences to look forward to and thus have time to think about where they would like to go next.

Whatever their eventual specialisms, the combination of a degree, practical project management experience and transferable professional skills will provide an excellent foundation for their careers.