Euan Rennison works for Agilia Infrastructure Partners LTD, a business consultancy specialising in major infrastructure projects. Euan decided that he wanted to start his journey along the Project Management career path by taking up an apprenticeship with Heart of England Training. studying the Level 4 Associate Project Management Apprenticeship course with us, Euan has recently achieved a pass!

Euan told us that after leaving college the first option on his mind was to do an apprenticeship rather than going to university, as it was his preference to gain the knowledge and skills on the job whilst getting paid for it rather than him having to pay for his learning which would have left him in debt.

“I was unsure which path I wanted to go down in terms of what type of job and apprenticeship. Luckily for me I had started a placement at Agilia through the kickstart scheme, and after just a month into the placement they offered me an apprenticeship with them which I could not turn down due to the amazing opportunity this would provide me to help start my career.”

The Associate Project Management (APM) Qualification

Projects can be defined and delivered within different contexts, across diverse industry sectors. They can be large or small and every project needs a Project Manager to ensure its success.

An apprenticeship standard in Associate Project Management level 4 is a nationally recognised route to a wide variety of management professions. The standards and assessment plans that candidates work towards are set by several large employers. This includes Rolls Royce, Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Mail, Transport for Great Manchester and many more.

Learner Feedback

Euan told us that one of the key things he is enjoying the most about his apprenticeship is gaining the key project management knowledge.

“I have really enjoyed learning all the different aspects of the qualification. Whilst progressing, I have been able to take on more responsibility within my role. This has been really beneficial for me, and I feel that this definitely shows in my work.”

Heart of England Training

Euan described his experience with Heart of England Training as amazing. From having previous experience with other training providers, he was able to compare and contrast the differences.

“Throughout, HOET have been very interactive. They make a point of ensuring that everybody gets involved in the monthly sessions, tasks and answering general questions. They really have been amazing overall. My educator set regular tasks for me to do in my own time which I feel has really helped improve my independent learning.”

Euan then gave some advice for others that are considering taking up an apprenticeship with Heart of England Training.

“Do not underestimate how difficult it can be splitting your time between apprenticeship work and actual work. It’s important to differentiate between the two in terms of time and what to prioritise. At first, I found it difficult to separate my day-to-day work from my apprenticeship work and struggled knowing what to prioritise. After speaking with my educators and devising a plan for myself, it became so much easier. The ability to prioritise soon came naturally. Whilst it can be hard to differentiate off-the-job work from day-to-day work, the educators at HOET will ensure that a steady plan tailored to you is put in place. After my educators assisted me with this, prioritising, balancing and maintaining my work became much easier and the process fell into place seamlessly.

Overall, my apprenticeship has been very beneficial. It helps you kickstart you career in a real working environment, and allows you to gain the knowledge, experience and skills of the job.”

Would you Recommend an Apprenticeship?

Euan explained that if you are thinking about both university and apprenticeship options, he would 100% recommend an apprenticeship to anyone.

“People who are leaving university often struggle to find work. This can be due to them either being overqualified for some positions or due to the fact that many employers want people with previous experience. Apprenticeships can almost guarantee you a job. You gain years of experience whilst getting paid for it at the same time. Whilst your friends would be leaving university in 3-4 years with only a qualification, you would have the advantage of gaining 3 to 4 years work experience and a well-recognised qualification, you get the best of both!’’

Want to take the next steps?

Is your business looking for an apprentice? Contact us to find out more or take a look at our Apprenticeship Information for Employers.

We also offer a wide variety of courses for Businesses across a broad range of sectors.