We’re thrilled to be supporting National Apprenticeship Week!
Meet Isaac Talbot, who is starting a Level 6 Apprenticeship with Olympus Power this year.
Pictured centre, above with other members of the technical team, Isaac is currently a Project Manager Assistant. He studied Maths, Business, Economics, Environmental Science and Physics at Exeter College. Enjoying the business and economics courses, he wanted to gain experience in project management. When he finished in July 2024, he began working with Olympus Power and will start his apprenticeship this year.
With a level 6 Project Management Apprenticeship, Isaac will spend 2 days a month in lectures, alongside online courses outside of work that comprise of written work – essays and summaries. To get ready for the course, he is also taking part in a Boot Camp this spring, to gain a Level 3 CMI qualification in Project management.
The 3-year apprenticeship will earn Isaac a BSc (Hons) degree alongside workplace experience.
“I can apply all my experience from learning in the workplace to the course, as well as future roles and my position with OP, progress in project management and I’m earning at the same time.”
“I’m learning a lot of different parts of the business, design from Charlie (lead Design Engineer), project management from Jack (Development and Operations Manager), proposal development, talking to clients from Sophie (Project Manager). All these are core foundation skills before I move on to the Level 6 apprenticeship.”
Last week Isaac was preparing risk assessments with the project management team. He explained that these need to be filed correctly to make sure Olympus Power can get on site – part of the health and safety protocols.
“There is quite a bit of preliminary paperwork that needs to be in place, with tight deadlines.”
“I’m learning about planning permissions, grid connections, I deal with a lot of design work with Charlie – string layouts and electrical designs. This doesn’t relate to my apprenticeship necessarily but is important grounding for the services the company provides. It gives me knowledge when talking to clients, and the ability to understand the projects fully.”
As the team grows, Isaac is helping assess project management software that can streamline processes, integrate with current software, and ensure greater efficiency.
Isaac is hoping to progress in project management, he is highly motivated by the renewable sector.
“It’s really good – I’m loving it. I’m learning all the time – it’s a lot to take in but I really enjoy it.”