Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprentice Rachel Stott tells us how she has taken on more responsibility as she works for the Zero Suicide Alliance - an organisation committed to the prevention of suicide

1. Rachel Stott – Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprentice with
the Zero Suicide Alliance
“Since starting the apprenticeship I have been given a lot more responsibility.”
See how:
• Rachel works as part of a team that oversees trust-wide projects for the
Zero Suicide Alliance.
• She applies what she has learnt during her apprenticeship to her role as a
project manager
• Rachel has taken on more responsibility since her apprenticeship began
• She now line manages an administration apprentice while completing her
own apprenticeship
Rachel offers advice for prospective Associate Project Manager apprentices.

2. What is the Zero Suicide Alliance?
The Zero Suicide Alliance is a collaboration of National Health Service trusts,
charities, businesses and individuals who are all committed to suicide
prevention in the UK and beyond, of which The ATP is a member organisation.
The alliance is concerned with improving support for people contemplating
suicide by raising awareness of and promoting free suicide prevention training.
The aims of this training are to enable people to identify when someone is
presenting with suicidal thoughts/behaviour, to be able to speak out in a
supportive manner and to empower them to signpost the individual to the
correct services or support.
For more information visit www.zerosuicidealliance.com.

3. “I am part of a team of 12 in the Programme
Management Office, which oversees trust-wide projects.
I help organise the Programme Management Office
administratively and undertake project co-ordination
across a wide range of projects.
Tasks include undertaking action points, minute taking,
share-point configuration, arranging and attending
meetings, attending events and conferences, logging
major incidents, document maintenance, highlight
reporting and managing budgets across the team. I also
raise requisitions and purchase orders and ensure our
suppliers are paid.
I now line manage an apprentice who is training to be an
administration assistant within the team.”

4. “One of the most important things I have learnt in my
apprenticeship, especially with the Zero Suicide Alliance
project, is stakeholder management – understanding
influence and interest.
I’ve also learnt about different leadership styles and
when to apply them – I found this interesting because
there are so many different models you can use to apply
in management.
I’ve also learnt about different theories of teamwork and
motivators, including the theories of Tuckman and
Belbin. I found a lot of the psychology and the different
stages of team development interesting.”

5. “Since starting the apprenticeship I have been given a lot
more responsibility – I have a great deal of
responsibility now. In the past, I’ve always managed the
orders and ordered everything for the team but, since
starting my apprenticeship, I now process invoices and
manage the process of payments for the team, starting
from general orders to invoices over £50k.
I have always mentored new members of staff when they
start, but since starting my apprenticeship I have taken
on my own apprentice – I manage their appraisals,
training and leave, as their direct line manager.
I have also been given the responsibility of attending
conferences in London and Ireland, as well as assisting
with events and helping with the staff training at large
companies.”

6. “The thing I enjoy most about doing my apprenticeship is the
learning and the practical side of things – when I am finding
evidence and then writing about it. I enjoyed learning about
different areas and also learning at home myself about the
subjects in the course.
This apprenticeship has been more practical than I expected,
which enables you to learn more – you get a lot of
experience to apply.
After I complete my apprenticeship I’d like to become a team
manager or project manager. I want to use my knowledge and
experience from this apprenticeship to work up the ladder –
from project officer, to manager. That way, I would have the
opportunity to deliver different leadership styles accurately as
I experience each role.”

7. “To someone considering a Level 4 Associate Project
Manager apprenticeship, I would say it is a brilliant
apprenticeship and I would advise people to go ahead
and complete it. It will give you so many opportunities in
your career – take everything as it comes.
I would advise that they have to be determined and
dedicated. It isn’t just something to do just once a week –
there is a lot that you have to put into it and without that
effort I don’t think it would work.
Make sure you put 100% effort into it and give yourself
time to do it. It has been great and I can’t thank my
trainers, mentors and The ATP enough for all their hard
work and effort.”