Project Planning & Controls – Project Management Associate Higher Apprenticeship

About the role

Transform your curiosity into a rewarding career with our Project Planning & Controls Apprenticeship! 🚀 If you're buzzing with project passion and ready to level up your skills, this is your chance. Get the best of both worlds: hit the books and get hands-on experience in a global, innovative, and industry-leading organisation. We’re super excited to hear from you! ✨

Why this apprenticeship is a game-changer:

• 💰 Earn a salary while you study.
• 🛠️ Get real-world experience in Bid & Project Management.
• 🎓 Receive top-notch job-specific training and development.
• 🏆 Achieve a qualification that opens doors.
• 🔒 Secure a permanent role from day one.
• 📚 We fully cover your tuition fees.

About the Role:

Jump into the exciting world of Project Planning & Controls at Thales! This apprenticeship will equip you with the skills to be a key player in our Bid and Project Management team. You’ll build a solid understanding of planning, scheduling, monitoring, and controls, setting you up to support or manage projects that deliver cutting-edge solutions worldwide. Our Bid and Project Management teams are all about ensuring projects hit their goals, maintaining strong governance, and making sure our processes are on point. 🎯

Your day-to-day might involve:

• Helping create and update project schedules. 📅
• Contributing to project reports and joining review meetings. 📊
• Supporting risk and opportunity management.
• Ensuring projects follow proper governance. ✅
• Using Thales UK tools to manage schedules, budgets, risks, and opportunities.
• Committing to all aspects of the apprenticeship – think virtual training, coaching calls, assignments, exams, and Thales UK training. You're building the foundation for future business growth! 💪

What you'll learn:

• Project Planning and Scheduling: Master how project timelines are built, maintained, and tracked, understanding activities, milestones, dependencies, and performance. 📈
• Project Reporting and Performance Analysis: Get skilled at gathering, analyzing, and presenting project data, contributing to reports and reviews.
• Risk and Opportunity Management: Learn to identify, assess, track, and report on project risks and opportunities, including how to mitigate them. ⚡
• Cost and Budget Management: Understand project budgets, how to control costs, and how financial performance ties into schedule and overall project success. 💸
• Project Governance and Controls: Grasp project governance processes and why following procedures is crucial for smooth delivery and smart decision-making.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building: Develop confidence in connecting with stakeholders, building relationships, and understanding their needs to support effective project controls. 🤝

The Apprenticeship Programme:

This is your chance to shine and learn from one of the biggest names in the industry. You'll get a 360° view of the Project Planner and Project Controller roles, all while gaining essential experience through on-the-job training tailored to your studies.

The programme is delivered through:

• Virtual learning modules
• Live virtual workshops
• 1-2-1 coaching calls

This is a 2-year programme, working towards the Level 4 Project Manager Associate Apprenticeship standard with The Apprentice Academy. Once you've nailed your End Point Assessment, you'll seamlessly transition into a Project Planner or Project Controller role within Thales UK.

Entry Requirements:

• A Levels: 2 A Levels at Grade C or above (in any subject) or an equivalent Level 3 qualification (e.g., BTEC Diploma MM, T Level Merit, Level 3 Apprenticeship).
• GCSEs: Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above, including English Language and Mathematics.

Perks & Benefits:

• Competitive salary: £24,000 per annum 💰
• Performance-related pay uplifts: Earn more based on your performance.
• Holiday entitlement: 201 hours per year (plus a company day and bank holidays). 🏖️
• Contributory Company Pension: Planning for your future.
• Health Care Cash Plan: Look after your wellbeing.
• Hybrid/flexible working options: Balance your life. 🏡
• Employee assistance programme: Support when you need it.
• Learning and development support: Grow your career. 🌱
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives: Enjoy perks!
• Life Cover: Peace of mind.
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year: Give back to the community. 💖

About Thales:

Because of the critical nature of our work, all roles require security clearance. Thales is all about equal opportunities, and diversity & inclusion are key to our success.

Thales Apprentice Recruitment Process:

1. Apply Online: Register your interest! You'll get a chance to apply for more roles later. 🖱️

2. Upload Your CV: Make sure it's updated.

3. Check Your Emails: Look for an invitation from recruiting@jobalerts.thalesgroup.com. 📧

4. Complete Your Application: Follow the link and apply for your primary role and up to 3 others.

5. Online Tests: Show us what you've got! 🧠

6. Virtual Assessment Centre: Group exercises and competency-based interviews.

7. Job Offer: Successful candidates receive an offer from Thales! 🎉

Important Dates:

• Assessment centres: February - May 2027.
• Induction week: Monday 6 September - Friday 10 September 2027.
• Closing date: 11:59 pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027. ⏳

PLEASE NOTE: Roles may close earlier than the advertised deadline due to high application numbers. Apply ASAP to avoid disappointment!

To be considered: You must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks (BPSS and SC clearance). This typically requires living in the UK continuously for the last five years. You'll need to provide evidence of your identity, right to work, overseas time, and employment/education history.

Ready to launch your career? Click apply! And remember, apply early – we might close applications before the deadline. 🚀

Key responsibilities

• Assisting with the creation and maintenance of the integrated master schedules for assigned projects
• Contributing to project reports and attend associated reviews
• Assisting in the deployment & reporting of risk & opportunity management
• Helping the project team ensure correct and effective project governance is applied
• Operating Thales UK tools to ensure effective management of the project schedule, budgets, risks and opportunities

Skills