Association for Project Management (APM) calls for employers to invest in project management skills through apprenticeships

Association for Project Management (@APMProjectMgmt) calls for employers to invest in project management skills through apprenticeships

Survey by APM reveals that 77 per cent of project managers working in organisations offering apprenticeship programmes say they greatly benefit project work across the business
“The project management apprenticeship programme is fast becoming one of our most popular roles in the business”, says Anne Ashworth, head of employee apprenticeship at Pearson, the world’s leading learning company
Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, is calling on employers to invest in the better delivery of projects through project management apprenticeships schemes for their staff and new apprentices. The call comes ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, taking place from 7-13 February 2022.

This follows a recent APM survey of 1000 project professionals (with research company Censuswide), which reveals that of the respondents who say their company runs project management apprenticeships, the majority (77 per cent) consider apprenticeships to be beneficial to project work within their business1. Furthermore, 40 per cent per cent say that apprentices help to create a more diverse workforce, 39 per cent say that apprenticeships are a good way to recruit and retain talent, and over a third (36 per cent) who say apprentices bring new ideas into the organisation.

Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, launched its project management apprenticeship programme in the UK in 2017. Available for the organisation’s employees and new apprentices joining the company, Pearson offers both the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship, and the Level 6 Project Manager Integrated Degree Apprenticeship, which include APM’s Project Management Qualification (PMQ).

Anne Ashworth, head of employee apprenticeship at Pearson, says: “The project management apprenticeship programme is fast becoming one of our most popular roles in the business, with four individuals currently participating on the scheme. It has been incredible seeing people from across different levels of our business stepping up to the challenge and completing their apprenticeship. As a result, they are bringing so much value to our organisation with improved project management skills, generating efficiencies in projects and ultimately improved consumer satisfaction.”

Agueda Varela, PMO & compliance analyst at Pearson says: “Doing an apprenticeship in project management has helped me progress in my career and change to a new department and role. I gained new skills and was supported throughout the process to learn on the job.”

Raman Gurnani, Portfolio Manager at Pearson who has recently completed the Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship, notes: “As a direct result of this apprenticeship, I have had the opportunity to contribute to our Strategic Portfolio Maintenance (SPM) guidance and develop new, simplified project management guidance and tools, which are now being used throughout the department.”

Riccardo Bertoldo, Data and Reports Analyst at Pearson and former Level 4 APM apprentice says: “The benefits of completing an apprenticeship are not only the APM qualifications where you gain skills and knowledge but putting these into practice in the workplace. I encourage employers to seriously consider the apprenticeship route. Completing an apprenticeship gives employees confidence and new skills, and in return they will come up with innovative ways of working which will support your business.”

Commenting ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, Jackie Martin, director of education and lifelong learning at APM, says: “Now more than ever, businesses and communities depend on talented project professionals, as projects and project‑based working are here to stay. We would urge employers to invest in developing skills through apprenticeships for the value they can bring and for the long-term benefits to project delivery.

“As the chartered body for the project profession, we are committed to promoting and encouraging better skills development and training. The growth of project‑based working means more project professionals will be needed, and apprenticeships are a fantastic way to help plug the gap since they blend a professional qualification with supported learning and development while in a full‑time role.”

APM also offers free Student membership to students and apprentices aged over 16. Student members can benefit from a range of online resources, networking opportunities and events. Visit apm.org.uk/membership for further details.

*44 per cent of survey respondents stated that their company runs project management apprenticeships