“Even if you think you can’t do something, you definitely can”

Project Manager Pam Frost outlines her career journey during National Apprenticeship Week – and encourages others to explore study options

12 February 2025

Pam Frost is a well-known name around the University of Plymouth, from her days as a personal assistant in the Peninsula Medical School, to her recent role in delivering the new home for business programmes, the Fitzroy building.

But few will know the full story behind her career, and the education she has undertaken to support her progression – including a Business Management degree and Project Management degree apprenticeship.

Trevor Wills, Richard Davies and Pam Frost at Fitzroy

With Trevor Wills (Director of Estates) and Professor Richard Davies (Vice-Chancellor) outside Fitzroy during renovation works

The alumni who led the Fitzroy redevelopment - Pam Frost, David Adkins, Shelley Oliver, Rachel Goodsell and Ben Siu

Standing outside the finished building with fellow Arts and Business alumni who led the Fitzroy development

“A real challenge”

“I moved to the South West from Derbyshire to join the Navy, and was based in Cornwall, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Ministry of Defence in London for 12 years. I started working part time after leaving the Royal Navy to have my two children. I saw and applied for a full time personal assistant role at the Peninsula Medical School.

“I was always involved in supporting new projects and infrastructure, and offered a lot of practical support when the school went through some staffing changes. Professor Rob Sneyd – the Dean at the time – encouraged me to do a foundation degree to support my work, so I studied Business Management over two evenings a week in 2006.

“I then topped up to a full degree – thanks to 8am starts and study release each Thursday – and graduated with a BA in Business Management in 2010. Four of us from the foundation degree did the top up as mature students, so it was good to have that support network of people going through the same thing.

“It was a real challenge balancing study, full time work and raising two children in their formative years, but I knew I wanted to do it. Motherhood unlocks a lot of skills that go alongside paid employment, things you don’t even realise, such as juggling multiple projects and leadership, so I was pleased to develop them.”

Changing direction

Pam then became the Resource Manager in the medical school, supporting people to move through building developments at various campus sites including John Bull Building ,

Knowledge Spa

Derriford Research Facility

Portland Square Building

and was involved in local improvement projects.

It was a great role but there was a big period of change at the uni and I saw a position come up as the Space Manager.

It was based on the city centre campus and different from the medical school, which is all I’d known, but I thought I’d give it a go. I applied with a ‘let’s see what happens’ attitude.

Pam went through the process and just missed out, but was appointable. And applying for that role in fact opened up her next door.

Because I’d applied for that job, my name was in the back of the minds of key people hiring for a new Campus Optimisation Manager.

They asked me to apply, so I did and got the role, which then led me onto my current role of Capital Project Manager, and here we are.

It just goes to show you need to apply and take every opportunity you can, as you never know what might happen next.

Degree apprenticeship

Since starting her current role, Pam has delivered the relocation of Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC) to Plymouth Science Park , benefited from mentoring, worked with multiple stakeholders to deliver the Fitzroy vacation and redevelopment, and been encouraged to undertake a project management degree apprenticeship.

Degree apprenticeships combine on-the-job experience with a full degree-level qualification, and Pam is aiming to complete her BSc Project Management in December 2025.

Degree Apprenticeships are a partnership between the employer, the apprentice, and the University of Plymouth as the training provider.

Honestly, it’s challenging balancing full-time work, essays, study and caring responsibilities. I look back and wonder how I did it with small children but I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity of a degree apprenticeship, and know it’ll all be worth it.

To anyone reading this, especially someone with children: take opportunities – even if you think you can’t do something, you definitely can. There are lots of flexible options, and with a supportive employer or mentor, you really can do great things. Give it a go and you may even surprise yourself.

“A real challenge”

Changing direction

Degree apprenticeship

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