Libbi Watson
Career Grade Officer, Projects and Programmes, City Development
Leeds City Council
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship and what were the highlights?
I am a Career Grade employee, and I have been doing apprenticeships to help my career progression. I really wanted to develop my knowledge and skills in project management. The highlights were passing my Project Management Qualification (PMQ) and being able to use the learning in my workplace.
What skills have you learned that you find most valuable in your current role?
The context behind the tools and techniques stand out the most. For example, with schedule and resource management, the teaching was able to help me understand the link between these, and Josie spent time with me on the application of this using Microsoft Project. I now use this regularly in my role.
What strategies and resources did you use that contributed to your success in the apprenticeship?
I made sure that I took the allocated time used for the apprenticeship – 6 hours per week. I was strict with myself on with the homework, and set two topics per week when revising for the PMQ. PL Projects had many supporting resources for the revision, and I also used the Association for Project Management (APM) website for further learning. With the portfolio, I wrote a schedule of submissions and stuck with that.
How has your success in the apprenticeship helped your future career?
I am able to move through the career grades and get more responsibility at work. I have already identified my next apprenticeship: the Level 6 Chartered Surveyor, and the Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship will complement this learning.
What message would you like to give to people who are considering doing this apprenticeship?
You should be prepared to commit personal time as well as allocated work time at times. This might take some self-determination!
How did PLP support you throughout the apprenticeship?
Josie offered one to ones and was always responsive to emails. She was able to help me see how the learning areas applied to my workplace. The PLP Training Team in general were also flexible with allocating extra support if required.
How has doing the apprenticeship benefitted your wider working team/employer?
I have more confidence with my knowledge and this has meant that I can take on more responsibility. I am able to lead meetings about the benefits of the apprenticeship to other staff.
