Have you ever wondered how much experience you need to be a project manager? Whether you’re a recent graduate or have been working in the industry for a while, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, with the right amount of effort and dedication, it is possible to get the experience you need to pursue a career in project management. In this post, we’ll explore some ways that you can gain the experience you need and make your dream of becoming a project manager a reality.
How to get Project Management experience for APM?
The APM, or Association for Project Management, is the chartered body for the project profession. In this section, we cover what counts as project management experience for APM and examples of project management experience for APM.
Project management experience is when you have held a position that covers the use of general project management skills. Often this is easier at smaller companies as there is more opportunity for responsibility and therefore the ability to showcase your skills. Skills that are vital to project management should be highlighted: leadership, planning, accountability, risk management, monitoring and controlling, results-driven, commercially astute, information gathering, decision making, proactivity, problem handling, and objectivity.
You can gain experience using an apprenticeship program, qualifications and training, volunteering, self-employment or formal employment. Apprenticeship programs are for on-the-job learning and development so you can earn while you are learning vital skills for the industry. APM-accredited degrees and qualifications build your project knowledge and qualifications add credibility to your CV for potential employers.
What eligibility is needed to be a Project Manager?
Essentially, when a hiring manager reviews your application they are looking for the temperament, skills, and experience needed for the position. Qualifications and formal (and informal) training are also taken into account. This can vary from company to company and essentially is down to a variety of factors that the hiring manager is allowed to overlook or is told to concentrate on. As with any position at a company, the interview process should include a section where your personality is assessed and if you will fit in with the company’s team.
1. Skills
These will differ from company to company, depending on the position you are applying for as well as the company’s values and growth strategies. There are a few skills that each hiring manager will be looking for in a potential employee. The project management skills that are required are the skills necessary to manage four core things that are critical to the success of a project: Quality, Scope, Cost, and Time.
Business skills are often looked for, the ability to comprehend complex project financials, profit and loss statements and the ability to stick to a budget. Leadership skills and high communication standards are important alongside team-building skills and effective motivation techniques.
2. Training: Formal and informal
A hiring manager may choose a candidate based on their formal training, or sometimes their informal training, or solid experience in real-life scenarios.
3. Project Management certifications and qualifications
There are a few ways to get certified. These certifications can bolster your CV and add invaluable skills to your repertoire. With real case studies and the ability to practically apply the information, you learn in training to real-life project experiences. Provek offers several options which include the APM range of qualifications, AgilePM, PRINCE2 and Managing Successful Programmes alongside a whole range of topic specific non-qualification courses.
At Provek a company may also enroll employees in a Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship which is a valuable training program that is fully funded through your apprenticeship levy.
4. Experience and its necessity
There are no hard and fast rules for the number of years necessary for a project management role. A combination of points contributes to your experience as a project manager. Your personality and your ability to showcase the skills needed by a successful project manager, combined with your training and qualifications will have some sort of weight in a hiring decision. So years of experience is not always the win all when it comes to landing the dream job, your temperament and credentials also influence a hiring manager.
How do you choose a certification for Project Management?
There are a number of project management qualifications that are currently offered across the UK. Yes, sometimes the options are overwhelming. However, with expert advice and consideration of your working environment the right choice can easily be made. This ensures you spend your hard-earned money on a qualification that will add real credibility to your CV.
Once you have decided to self-fund your own project management certification, you will need to put aside enough time to concentrate on all the training. An online course available to the public often offers the flexibility to learn in your own time, during evenings and at weekends. At Provek, we offer over 20 courses varying in intensity and duration (as well as cost). From general no exam courses to APM Courses that all contribute to project management experience.
Often, your company may enrol you in training courses that assist your project management understanding and contributes to your experience. Provek offers in-house courses or online courses for companies to choose from. These courses develop the skills you need to be a project manager while you are in employment. The other option for companies to invest in the experience of their employees is to entrust Provek with an apprenticeship in project management.
Experience and how it relates to project management is not simply the number of years you have in a similar role, it is based on your learning, your skills and the overall understanding of a project management role. To learn more about studying with Provek or to discuss your goals in more detail, contact our friendly team today on 01635 524 610 or email us at enquiries@provek.co.uk.
