Project controls technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 3 apprenticeship trains project controls technicians to support the planning, scheduling, cost control, and reporting functions on projects in construction, engineering, or infrastructure. You will assist project managers and controls specialists by maintaining schedules, tracking costs, and producing performance reports. It can lead to project planner, cost controller, or progression to the Level 6 Project Controls Professional apprenticeship.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Project planning and scheduling techniques including critical path and Gantt charts
Cost control and budget monitoring using project cost systems
Earned value management concepts and calculating performance metrics
Risk identification, logging, and basic quantitative risk assessment
Producing project performance reports and progress dashboards
Using planning and controls software such as MS Project or Primavera
Change control and understanding the impact of changes on project baseline
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Maintain and update project schedules and identify critical path activities
Track and record actual project costs against budget in controls systems
Calculate earned value metrics and highlight variances to the project team
Prepare weekly and monthly progress reports for project managers
Support the risk management process by updating risk registers
Process change requests and update the baseline schedule and budget
Assist with the development of new project plans and work breakdown structures
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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