The VIMA Graduate Journey

Bringing a lasting legacy
This case study provides an insight into the first graduate scheme at VIMA, following the journey from the start of the application process to induction, through bespoke and accredited training, to finally applying training to client work and internal projects. It highlights successes from the experience and the legacy that the graduate scheme has left.
INDUCTION
During the first week of the VIMA 2021 Graduate Scheme, we were warmly welcomed by current members of staff and undertook the week's planned orientation.
The induction week aimed to ensure that we, as a cohort, felt comfortable within our new working environment, alleviating any worries, and obtaining a clearer picture of the sectors VIMA operates in.
The journey
  • GRADUATE TRAINING

    Throughout our first couple of months at VIMA, we embarked on a robust training scheme that taught us different project control methods including risk, planning, scheduling, and cost modelling. In between these training sessions, individuals from the wider VIMA team came in to provide us with specialist training on subjects such as Agile Project Management, governance, and Earned Value Management. This internal training gave us the fundamental knowledge we would need in our client roles and be able to contribute to the success of our various projects.

  • PLACEMENTS IN CLIENT PROJECTS

    Each of the graduates has had a chance to work within a PMO team or delivery team, giving us an insight into how MOD projects and programmes are conducted. Within our roles, we have all been given opportunities to get involved in a range of areas, including Business Requirements, Approvals, Data Analytics, Learning & Development, Risk Management, Governance & Reporting, Business Change, Stakeholder Management and Assurance.

    Our on-the-job training is on a rotational basis, which means that we have already had the chance to work in different teams and client areas and will continue to do so as we progress through the graduate scheme.

  • INTERNAL GRADUATE PROJECTS

    As part of the graduate scheme, we have been working on internal VIMA projects.

    The graduates were given the task of organising the graduate training programme for 2022. This involved producing Breakdown Structures, Basis of Estimate, a detailed schedule, risks, and opportunities. This enabled us to put some of the project management skills we had learnt into practice and improve the scheme for next year’s cohort.

    During a training week, we were given a brief with the task of turning around a failing client programme. There were several issues with the programme, including poor stakeholder engagement, a lack of resources, and deficient performance by the supply chain. After our initial investigation and analysis, we had to present the findings to a former MOD 2* and offer solutions to turn it around. This highlighted our ability to work together, be cohesive, analyse problems and propose solutions, and communicate with stakeholders. We gave a number of presentations during the week, which improved our ability and confidence in presenting.

Successful outcomes
Throughout the graduate programme, we have learnt aWith a mix of accredited and in-house training, coupled with client exposure, we have begun to put our project management and consultancy skills into practice and deliver value to clients the VIMA way.
As we continue along the graduate journey, greater emphasis has been put on higher levels of skill development and exposure.
Recently, we participated in a graduate exercise week that tested our skills in a simulated time pressured environment with uncooperative workforce partners, challenging both our technical and soft skills.