Case studies: Project manager: Mohammed

Mohammed works as a project manager for a project funded via the European Social Fund, where he manages a team of ‘key workers’ who give ongoing support to adults needing careers advice and guidance.

Mohammed works as a project manager for a project funded via the European Social Fund (ESF). Part of his role involves managing a team of ‘key workers’ who give ongoing support to adults needing careers advice and guidance.

I currently manage a project that supports people on a long-term basis, aiming to address the barriers that hinder people from entering sustainable employment. I’m responsible for managing a budget of £5.25 million that has to be spent over a period of three years (short-term contracts are common in this type of work). I also line manage eight key workers and oversee a network of seven contractors (including colleges and training providers).

Targets are important. We have to engage 2,795 participants in the project over the next three years. If we don’t meet all our targets, some of our funding can be held back.

I originally started in adult-based learning, promoting work-based learning and apprenticeships. Part of this role required me to give informal careers advice to my clients, I found that I increasingly enjoyed this aspect of the work and so I applied for my next role as a lead facilitator, running a drop-in facility for the public, where they could access IT for free, get basic information and advice and be referred to qualified guidance workers.

Two years later I became the project manager for the centre. To a certain extent, funding dictated my next career move. I got involved in securing the funding for the centre. In time, I was able to build up the experience, skills and qualifications (an NVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance and a Diploma in Business Administration), which I studied for while working, to apply for my current role. The company funded my study, which was an invaluable support.

I have found this industry to be very changeable: you need to be able to adapt to external factors, which can quickly dictate the direction your career takes.

I enjoy my current role, particularly the responsibility involved in being able to manage a successful contract. Our contract is well received in the community and I like that. I like giving a sense of direction to my team. I sometimes miss direct contact with clients, and I don’t enjoy the bureaucracy that goes with the project. My team and I know the support that clients need, but sometimes the paperwork can act as a barrier.

Anyone with an interest in this sort of work should start by getting experience working with people, perhaps in customer-focused roles. Evidence that you can handle targets (there are lots of them), work as part of a team, or totally independently when required, and manage a network of contacts are all helpful.

In the future, I am hoping to get more experience in bid writing and strategic management.