Natasha our Senior Export Consultant is studying for the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship alongside her role. Read on to find out more about her experience so far:

How have you found the apprenticeship so far?

I am 9 months into my 15 month apprenticeship with Lifetime Training and I have learnt a huge amount already. Ranging from leadership skills and how to motivate a team, managing stakeholders and their expectations, project life cycles, governance, contracts, the tools to track and maintain a project. Although the work was a lot more than expected when I decided to take on this challenge, the new skills I am learning and putting into practice every day makes it worthwhile and I am excited to see what levels I can push my day to day role to with my new knowledge. 

What has been your biggest learning so far?

All the modules I have undertaken so far has all been brand new challenges to me so as a whole, the apprenticeship has been the biggest learning point for me. If I would have to pinpoint one point, it would be incorporating my learnings into my day to day. Using tools such as risk analysis, Gantt charts, change control, project management plan and really putting my new knowledge into practice. 

How do you use your apprenticeship learning in your day to day role?

I have been able to really define my processes and the framework I use within export ensuring that it runs as smooth as possible. Detailed analysis on the projects I am running, why does this need to happen? What went well? What needs improving? This really helps to improve the department I work in and build the role into the wider business of Lidl GB. I also have gained a better understanding of managing stakeholders, we use a lot of third-party businesses to make the shipments happen and communication with the stakeholders is key to succeed.

How are you currently using your off the job training?

My off the job hours currently consist of a lot of research, building up to my final exam. Lifetime Training provide many webinars, events, and blogs to help further your knowledge. I have found LinkedIn Learning to be a great help, they have a huge number of videos on project management that have helped my studies. 

Lidl's PMO have also been a great help guiding me, getting me involved in wider projects around the business and inviting are to join them for a day of training to understand how Lidl GB deliver products to completion.

What are the three words you would use to describe your apprenticeship journey?

Rewarding, valuable, and commitment.