What is your name and current job title?
Liam Fryatt-Joll, Programme & Project Officer.
Which apprenticeship are you completing and at what level?
Level 6 Project Management Degree Apprenticeship (PMDA) with Exeter University.
How has the apprenticeship helped you grow personally and professionally?
The apprenticeship has helped me grow in confidence and given me a much stronger understanding of how projects and programmes operate. Professionally, it’s allowed me to apply what I’m learning directly to my role. For example, when preparing project reports for Programme Board, I’m now better at structuring the information, highlighting key risks, and making sure the update clearly reflects the position of each workstream.
It has also helped me feel more confident when leading workstream meetings, guiding discussions, and making sure actions are clear. On occasion, I’ve also had to present programme updates to the Programme Board, and the apprenticeship has really helped me develop the communication skills needed to do that professionally and with confidence.
Personally, I’ve become more organised and better at balancing workloads, and I’m more comfortable asking questions or challenging information when needed.
What skills have you developed so far?
I’ve developed a range of practical skills that I use regularly in my role, including:
Stakeholder communication:
- Coordinating and leading workstream meetings, ensuring discussions stay focused and actions are captured.
- Preparing and delivering programme updates to the Programme Board when required, communicating clearly and professionally.
- Contacting project leads for accurate updates and clarifying details where needed.
- Summarising complex information in a concise way for my manager and senior stakeholders.
- Asking targeted questions in meetings to confirm details or highlight missing or unclear information.
Governance and documentation:
- Producing structured, accurate project reports for Programme Board.
- Ensuring updates align with governance expectations and highlight risks, issues, and dependencies.
- Maintaining documentation to support decision‑making across workstreams.
Analytical thinking:
- Identifying risks or inconsistencies within project updates.
- Reviewing information from different workstreams and spotting gaps or areas needing clarification.
Planning and organisation:
- Managing meeting schedules, agendas, and follow‑ups across multiple workstreams.
- Balancing apprenticeship tasks alongside regular programme responsibilities.
Problem‑solving and adaptability:
- Handling last‑minute changes to reports or meeting inputs by working out practical solutions quickly.
- Adjusting communication depending on the audience, whether it’s colleagues, workstream leads, or senior boards.
Reflective practice:
Regularly reviewing my progress and confidence, especially around chairing meetings and communicating with senior stakeholders.
What support do you receive from your employer and training provider?
My employer supports me by giving me ongoing opportunities to apply my apprenticeship learning directly within the programme environment. This includes preparing Programme Board reports, leading workstream meetings, and presenting updates when required. I’ve also been able to lead on several projects since starting the apprenticeship, which has helped me put theory into practice and develop my confidence. My manager provides regular check‑ins, feedback, and guidance, all of which help me strengthen my knowledge, skills and behaviours within the project environment.
My training provider offers structured teaching, regular progress reviews, and clear guidance on assessment requirements. They also help me link my day‑to‑day responsibilities to the apprenticeship standards and support me in gathering and recording evidence effectively.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship to others? Why?
Yes, I would. An apprenticeship is a great way to gain real experience while learning the theory behind it. Being able to take what I’ve learned and apply it directly, whether that’s preparing a Board report, leading a meeting, or improving how I communicate, has made the whole process meaningful and practical. It’s ideal for anyone who learns best by doing.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about your apprenticeship experience?
Overall, the apprenticeship has been a really positive experience. It has helped me build confidence in my role, especially when leading workstream meetings, preparing documentation for Programme Board, and presenting updates to senior stakeholders when needed. I’ve gained a much clearer understanding of how programmes operate and how my work contributes to the wider picture across the organisation.
Another benefit is the qualifications I will achieve on completion. The apprenticeship gives me the opportunity to gain a Degree, an IPMA project management qualification, and a CMI Level 5 certificate. These are valuable, recognised qualifications that will support my professional development and open up future career opportunities. Having the chance to achieve all of this while gaining real workplace experience has been a major advantage of choosing the apprenticeship route.