Thomas Hooper, Project Manager at the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, spoke to us about his experience on the Project Management Degree Apprenticeship
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Name: Thomas Hooper
Employer: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
"I am a much more confident person when communicating to senior managers and colleagues."
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Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship
How do you feel the programme has benefited you?
I have just finished the second year of the PMDA, and I feel the programme has helped me take the next steps in my career, working now as a project manager from a project support office. During the latter stages of Covid-19 it has given me a solid foundation to start projects that need to be done urgently but also to a high standard. During the current recovery phase, it is helping me build upon my experience from the last 6 months to have not only the knowledge aspect but also the working experience of how it works in a practical world. I am a much more confident person when communicating to senior managers and colleagues.
Has being on the programme changed the way you work or your approach?
Very much so. I feel my approach to projects has changed since I started the PMDA and is still evolving and will evolve as I approach third year, we are not learning one methodology or one way to do things: it’s about what works in the real world alongside when and where to use certain techniques. Alongside our own experiences as a cohort, we are all learning from one another from different industries.
What benefits has the PMDA made to your organisation?
I feel that I am bringing new and different project techniques and methodologies that aren’t being used in our organisation: it’s a different way of looking at projects to how they are currently run, and I have been able to change the way we conduct lessons learnt along with some other changes to the way we manage our projects. It’s been good.
Would you recommend the University of Cumbria?
I would recommend anyone study at UoC. It has been a great experience so far, learning with the university along with the guidance they can provide on how to manage the day-to-day workings on your work; they don’t just deliver the knowledge aspect of the apprenticeship.
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