Building a Career with Purpose: Muhammad’s Journey from Apprentice to Project Manager
“I wanted to gain practical, hands-on experience while developing my skills – an apprenticeship gave me exactly that.”
– Muhammad Ali Choudhary, Apprentice Associate Project Manager at Haringey Council
When university didn’t feel like the right path, Muhammad Ali Choudhary set out to find an alternative route into a rewarding career. Keen to build his skills in a real-world setting while earning a recognised qualification, Muhammad enrolled on the Associate Project Management Level 4 apprenticeship with Heart of England Training – and hasn’t looked back since.
His apprenticeship was delivered in partnership with Haringey Council, where he was based full-time, gaining invaluable experience working on live projects in local government.
Learning by Doing
For Muhammad, an apprenticeship was the ideal way to gain not just theoretical knowledge but real, transferable skills that would serve him throughout his career.
“University wasn’t the right fit for me at the time. I wanted to learn in a real work environment and build up my confidence and capability on the job. The apprenticeship at Haringey Council gave me that opportunity.”
Muhammad was given meaningful responsibilities from day one, working alongside experienced professionals and contributing directly to key projects within the council. This hands-on experience helped him build a strong foundation in project management, and a deeper understanding of how local government services operate.
Supported Every Step of the Way
One of the highlights of Muhammad’s apprenticeship experience was the consistent, personalised support he received from his tutor at Heart of England Training.
“We had regular monthly meetings to review progress, set goals and talk through any challenges. That ongoing communication made a huge difference.”
The training was flexible and well-organised, which allowed Muhammad to balance his studies with the demands of his full-time role. He praised the accessibility and relevance of the course content, which assisted him in staying on track.
“The coursework was broken down into manageable tasks, which really helped me build my confidence gradually. I never felt overwhelmed.”
Real Skills with Real Impact
Through the apprenticeship, Muhammad not only developed technical knowledge in Project Management but also built a wider skill set that has helped him thrive in the workplace.
“I gained confidence in communication, managing workloads, and using key systems – all of which I used every day in my role.”
He also gained a valuable insight into how different departments collaborate within a public sector organisation, which helped him become a more effective and strategic member of the team.
A Strong Recommendation
Now that his apprenticeship is complete, Muhammad reflects positively on the experience and is eager to encourage others to consider apprenticeships as a viable and rewarding career route.
“Yes, I would absolutely recommend an apprenticeship with Heart of England Training to anyone looking to gain hands-on experience in business administration, hair and beauty, sports coaching, teaching assistance, or customer service.”
Muhammad’s success story is a shining example of how apprenticeships can lead to long-term career growth, greater confidence, and a deeper understanding of the workplace – all while earning and learning.
