It’s never too late to take a different route: My journey as a project management apprentice

I did not come into project management through a traditional route; I didn’t go to university - no one in my family has. I didn’t grow up knowing what a project manager was, let alone planning to become one. I came into this role later in life, with various work experiences, family responsibilities and a lot of self-doubt. And honestly, that has shaped my apprenticeship journey more than anything else.

I was already working as a project manager for almost a year before I was put forward for the apprenticeship programme. Many of my cohort are on graduate schemes, and most are fresh from college. I remember questioning whether I really belonged there. My internal negative voice was loud at the start.

I was a mature student, juggling work, study and being a parent to two teenage daughters. I often wondered if I was behind; I had no idea how to write an essay or a report, and it had been over 20 years since I had to format a bibliography. I often felt lost and overwhelmed. 

What I couldn’t see at the time was that everything I brought with me mattered.

Being a mature apprentice means you bring transferable skills, even if you don’t always recognise them straight away. Communication, stakeholder management, resilience, problem solving and having that insight on how organisations actually work are valuable skills and knowledge. Those skills don’t come from textbooks alone; they come from experience. For a long time, I underestimated not only that significant value, but I also underestimated myself.

One moment that really changed things for me was entering the annual Assystem competition that was aimed at students. I almost didn’t apply. I work in project management, not project controls; I work in IT, not infrastructure. All I could see was how I wasn’t the right person to be innovative in this field, but my tutor encouraged me to apply. The competition was asking for a digital solution, and that was something I do know. So, on a whim, I applied. I was shocked to be shortlisted and then flabbergasted when I won.

The presentation itself terrified me. Standing in front of a panel of judges at the Project Controls Expo at Wembley was not something I ever imagined myself doing. I was convinced I would freeze, stutter or just stare at my notes and read like a robot. Thankfully, it was in a closed room, but that didn’t make it feel any less daunting. I remember my hands shaking before I started, but I knew my idea. I was passionate about the underlying message of sustainability, and that was what mattered. 

That experience changed my confidence completely. Winning wasn’t just a nice achievement - it validated something I had struggled to believe; that I am capable, that I deserve to be in the room. It didn’t make the imposter syndrome disappear overnight, but it quieted it enough for me to keep going.

Support has been a huge factor in my journey. At work, being trusted and encouraged makes a real difference. My daughters are a big motivation for me, as I want them to see that it’s never too late to change direction, to learn something new, or to challenge yourself. Education does not have one correct path. University, apprenticeships, learning on the job - all of it counts, all of it adds to the sum of you.

There is a myth that apprenticeships are only for young people at the start of their careers. Apprenticeships can be powerful tools for career change, progression and confidence-building at any stage of life. They allow you to earn, learn and apply theory in real time. For me, that combination has been invaluable.

That doesn’t mean it’s an easy ride. Balancing study, work and family life takes self-discipline. I’ve had to be organised and honest about my limits. I plan my study time like any other commitment, and I ask for help when I need it (which is often). I regularly remind myself why I started and how far I’ve already come. Some weeks are more about survival rather than perfection, and I’ve learned that’s okay.

If I could give one piece of advice to someone considering an apprenticeship later in life, it would be this: you are not behind. You are not too late. You bring something valuable with you, even if you can’t see it yet. Don’t let fear decide for you.

I am still on my journey. I’m still learning and hope to be a lifelong learner, but I no longer question whether I deserve to be here. I’ve worked hard for this, and I intend to pass with flying colours. If sharing my experience helps someone else take that first step, then it’s worth it. 

 

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