What’s it like to be a project controls graduate on Blueprint’s graduate programme?
We can bet that you’ve read every article on the best graduate schemes out there but the truth is these lists often miss fast emerging companies in lesser-known industries with fantastic graduate schemes, that give you full exposure to an expert team and excellent progression opportunities.
If you’ve landed on this page and you relate with any of the above, you’re in exactly the right place. At Blueprint, we run a two year Graduate Programme and we’re fortunate to have three graduates already on that journey with us.
Instead of sharing a long list of every reason you should apply, we thought who better for you to hear from than our graduates themselves - Joe, Arthur and Emily. They’ve shared their perspective on what it has been like to kick-start their graduate career at Blueprint.
Joe, Arthur and Emily….take it away!
Joe Morgan
Tell us a bit about yourself
Hi, I’m Joe. I’m 24 years old and currently living in central Bristol. I have been working at Blueprint since October 2020 and I was the first graduate at the company. The past two years have been an incredibly fun and insightful introduction to the world of project work. Before joining Blueprint, I spent 4 years studying Business Management at Cardiff University. I’m a huge Rugby fan and in my spare time, I enjoy watching sports, as a Bristol City football fan and Gloucester Rugby season ticket holder.
Why did you choose Project Controls over other potential career paths/graduate programmes?
Project controls was attractive to me due to the variety of opportunities that are associated with it. There are several disciplines to familiarise with, such as planning, risk management, change management, cost control, and estimating. I’ve found working at Blueprint an invaluable way to learn about how projects operate and I now see how you can apply the same skills and knowledge across multiple industries such as nuclear energy, bioenergy and defence. I also enjoy the social aspect of the job, with so much of it relying on communicating with different project team members, which has allowed me to build up good working relationships with many people.
What training and development have you started at Blueprint, or is in the pipeline?
Since being at Blueprint, I have started a Level 4 project management course at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. This course involves two Association for Project Management qualifications – The APM Project Fundamentals Qualification and the APM Project Management Qualification. I have also completed the Primavera P6 Professional Fundamentals Training. Once the college course is complete, I will also aim to complete the Primavera P6 Professional Advanced course to further my knowledge in project planning. I’ll then look to take courses in various other project controls disciplines such as risk management and change control.
What are your goals for the next five years?
One of my goals for the next five years is to progress through the Blueprint career structure to Junior Consultant and then Consultant level. I want to gain a broad knowledge of many of the areas of project controls and then choose one to specialise in. Another goal is to get more involved with business development and gain experience in bidding for contracts. I have had some experience of this so far and enjoyed it, as this was a topic covered during my business management degree.
Why Blueprint?
One of the main attractions was the close-knit, family feel of the company. People at all levels of the business are incredibly supportive of each other and everyone is treated as equal, no matter what level of experience you have. Also, there is a great social aspect to life at Blueprint. Regular trips to watch Gloucester Rugby and quarterly away days mean that there is always something to look forward to.
Another attraction was being able to work closely with knowledgeable people who are experts in their field every day, which has allowed me to learn a lot about projects in a short space of time. Also, the variety of work I have been involved with has been a massive benefit too. Over the course of the graduate programme, I have gained experience working with multiple organisations such as EDF Energy, Bioenergy Infrastructure Group and Underwater Construction Corporation, performing different project controls roles at each one.
What’s your one piece of advice for graduates wanting to start their career in Project Controls?
One piece of advice I’d have for new graduates is to keep an open mind about all areas of project controls and try to experience each one before you decide to specialise. They are all interesting and link together throughout the lifecycle of a project, therefore an understanding of all areas will only benefit your career.
Arthur Redwood
Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Arthur Redwood. I’m 24 years old and I’ve been working at Blueprint for 10 months. I studied Economics and Management at Cardiff University. Outside work, I play football and am a big Liverpool fan (excited to win the office fantasy football league yet again!).
Why did you choose Project Controls over other potential career paths/graduate programmes?
I knew nothing about project controls until I met the team here and was told about the graduate programme. The variation in day-to-day activities sounded exciting and the variety of skills and opportunities available to me in project controls made it a no-brainer. Simon (our founder) was so flexible and was very keen to let me experience all the different sides of project controls as a graduate. There are so many different aspects to the role that it’s a great option for any graduate, regardless of their degree. There is space for all skills to be utilised and this mix makes it an exciting industry to be involved in.
What training and development have you started at Blueprint, or is in the pipeline?
Internally we are offered access to coaching from all of the team - many of whom are experts in their field. The other week, I had a four hour session on planning with one of the company directors. I know this quality of training wouldn’t be possible at a bigger company and, for me, this is what makes Blueprint so appealing.
We are also running a dummy project internally with all the graduates, which involves designing and planning the construction of an office block. This ensures we have seen a project all the way through from the start to finish. Externally Simon is happy to help us with any training courses we want to do - for example I have completed software training courses on P6, excel and Microsoft projects. We have also been on a project management apprenticeship scheme which has seen me pass my PFQ and recently taken my PMQ exam which are both good steps in the project management world.
What are your goals for the next five years?
To keep working at the company building internal and external relationships and improving my skill set at the same time. I am quite keen to do a masters at some point which I could see happening in the next five years. If not then doing other qualifications to upskill will definitely happen within a five year period.
Why Blueprint?
The people! It’s fantastic and I enjoy coming to work. It’s such a friendly environment and your opinion feels valued from day one. At team meetings, you’re asked your opinion even when you feel like you don’t know what’s going on. Everyone values a different point of view and listens.
What’s your One piece of advice for graduates wanting to start their career in Project Controls?
Ask questions, as many as you can. At the start you’re going to feel like you know nothing and keeping quiet will mean it stays that way. Ask questions whenever you’re unsure. People are far more friendly and accepting than you think they are.
Emily Lear
Tell Us a Bit About Yourself
Hi, I am Emily and I spent four years at Cardiff University completing a BA in English Literature and an MScEcon in International Relations. I developed a particular interest in multilateralism and humanitarian intervention throughout my Masters, and I based my dissertation on the problem of Western feminist interference with women’s politics in Afghanistan.
Why Project Controls over other potential career paths/graduate programmes?
I chose to pursue a career in project controls with Blueprint because I wanted to try something completely new, while still having the opportunity to apply skills I developed throughout my degrees. I thoroughly enjoyed my master’s in International Relations, but after finishing, I decided that I did not want to pursue a career in politics. Both my degrees equipped me with skills that translated to a variety of potential jobs so I decided to join the graduate programme at Blueprint. I felt that project controls would allow me to develop skills in a variety of areas – planning/cost/risk etc – which would continue to open doors for me in the future. Also, projects are universal and exist within many industries which will potentially give me the opportunity to work abroad in the future.
What training and development have you started at Blueprint, or is in the pipeline?
Having been involved in the graduate programme for five months now, I have built a foundation of knowledge following the L4 project management apprenticeship and I’m working towards completing the PFQ and PMQ exams next autumn. I have also gained first-hand experience working with clients within different areas of project controls.
Why Blueprint?
I chose the graduate scheme at Blueprint – over other larger companies – because the small and inclusive environment has given me access to colleagues that are at the top of their fields, and who are always eager to answer questions and encourage my development. From my interview, I immediately felt the welcoming and fun atmosphere in the office - I knew this was the kind of company I would be lucky to work for. The kind of office that you look forward to coming into in the morning! To emphasise this further, I have recently experienced some personal family issues and the support and care I have received from everyone in the company has been unmatched.
What are your goals for the next five years?
In five years, I aim to be a project controls consultant with plenty of experience behind me.
What’s your One piece of advice for graduates wanting to start their career in Project Controls?
The advice I would give to a graduate – coming from any kind of degree – is don’t be afraid to dive into something new and unknown! Just because your degree is in something specific, does not mean that you must work within that industry. I find that because I have skills in English and politics, I can bring a new perspective to the work that I produce at Blueprint, which in turn, makes me feel like a valued member of the team.
Whether you're studying an arts, science or any other degree, Project Controls could be the perfect career for you. Not only does the Graduate Programme at Blueprint offer you exposure to all elements of Project Controls, but our small team and fantastic culture will allow you to flourish and develop every single day (and have a lot of fun along the way!). If you’d like to learn more about our graduate scheme, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.