2027 Project Planning & Controls Apprentice

Thales Group; Cheadle; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary while studying

Hands-on PM experience

Hybrid working

Job summary

Thales Group is offering a 2-year Project Planning & Controls Apprenticeship. The programme develops skills in planning, scheduling, monitoring and controls, with on-the-job training and virtual workshops to prepare you for future roles in Bid and Project Management.

You will learn to build integrated schedules, track risks and costs, and support governance across bids and projects, with potential progression to a Project Planner or Project Controller role after completion.

Qualifications

• 2 A Levels grade C or above (or equivalent Level 3 qualification)
• Minimum five GCSEs at Grade 4-9 (A-C) in English and Maths

Responsibilities

• Assist in creating and maintaining integrated master schedules for projects
• Contribute to project reports and reviews
• Assist in risk & opportunity management deployment and reporting
• Support project governance and ensure effective schedule, budget, risks, and opportunities management
• Attend apprenticeship training modules and coaching sessions

Skills

Project planning

Governance

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Level 3 qualification

Job description

This exciting Project Planning & Controls Apprenticeship will give you the skills and knowledge to be an effective team member within the Bid and Project Management Function at Thales. The apprentice programme will provide you with a strong understanding and working knowledge of planning, scheduling, monitoring and controls, building the foundations for future roles supporting or managing projects that deliver world leading solutions to our global customer base. The Bid and Project Management functions' key responsibilities are to support the project team deliver the mission and ensure strong governance over bids and projects and oversee the implementation of consistent and assured processes. Your responsibilities may include:

• 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
• Committing to attend all elements of the apprenticeship including attendance on virtual training modules, 1-2-1 coaching calls, assignments, exams and mandatory Thales UK training activities to lay the foundations for your contribution to future growth of the business

What You Will Learn

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will develop knowledge and skills in:

• Project planning, scheduling, monitoring, and control techniques
• Supporting effective bid and project delivery through project controls
• Applying governance, assurance, and project management processes
• Developing and maintaining integrated project schedules and plans
• Tracking performance, risks, costs, and progress against project objectives
• Supporting the delivery of complex, world-leading solutions for global customers

Apprenticeship Programme

Through our higher apprenticeship you'll be making the most of your talents, getting to understand the Project Management Function from the ground up; and doing so with the help of one of the biggest and best names in the industry. Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll receive on-the-job training tailored to work alongside your studies, giving you the hands-on experience needed to develop practical skills and knowledge.

The programme will be delivered via a virtual delivery model consisting of:

• live virtual workshops
• 1-2-1 coaching calls
• Self-directed learning activities

This is a 2-year programme, working towards the Level 4 Project Manager Associate Apprenticeship standard, with our lead training provider. Upon successful completion of your End Point Assessment, you will roll off into the Thales UK Bid and Project Management job family into a Project Planner or Project Controller role.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are motivated, committed and keen to learn. A self-starter who can manage their time, show initiative and has a genuine interest in project planning/controls and Thales. Successful candidates will show self-discipline and an aspiration to achieve the qualification.

Entry Requirements

• 2 A Levels grade C or above in any subject or equivalent Level 3 qualification such as BTEC Diploma (MM), T Level (Merit) or Level 3 apprenticeship
• Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4-9 (A-C) in English and Maths, To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.

To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history. In addition, this role supports a UK Eyes Only programme and is therefore subject to government-mandated nationality restrictions. To satisfy the security clearance requirements for access to highly sensitive information, applicants must have been British citizens from birth and must not hold any other nationality. This requirement is determined by the UK Government and is a condition of programme access rather than an employment preference.

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Working Schedule

37 hours per week (8 hours Monday - Thursday, 5 hours on a Friday)

Transform your curiosity into a rewarding career. If you're passionate about projects and eager to learn, this apprenticeship is perfect for you. Combining academic study with hands-on, practical experience, it offers a fantastic opportunity to grow and thrive within a global, innovative & industry leading organisation. We'd love to hear from you!

Benefits of the Programme

• Earn a salary while studying for your apprenticeship
• Gain hands-on experience within the Bid & Project Management environment
• Receive job-specific training and development
• Achieve a recognised qualification
• Secure a permanent role from the start of your apprenticeship
• Have your tuition fees fully paid, Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
• Performance-related pay uplifts
• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Contributory Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Hybrid/flexible working options
• Employee assistance programme
• Learning and development support
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Life Cover

For further details of the evidence required to apply for security clearance please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of Thales. At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.