APM and CFA to help develop project managers of the future

CFA and the Association for Project Management (APM) have been successful in their bid for funding to develop a Higher Apprenticeship in project management. The aim is to create 775 higher apprenticeships in project management by 2016, with the support of a fund of nearly £800,000. This represents part of the £18.7m Higher Apprenticeship fund, announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable, which will support the development of 19,000 new apprenticeships in fields including human resources, construction, advanced engineering and financial services.

With youth unemployment currently running at over 20%, Higher Apprenticeships will provide aspiring young professionals with the opportunity to develop competence, skill and knowledge-sets and encourage 17-19 year olds to make project management as a career of first choice. The availability of Higher Apprenticeships across all sectors of the economy and all areas of England will give young people the chance to develop capability and will lay firm foundations for the next generation of competent project management professionals.

John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning at the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), said: “I’m determined to work with employers to break down barriers between higher learning and the world of work. By creating new higher apprenticeship opportunities for young people to develop project management skills up to degree equivalent, we’ll build stronger companies and redefine the concept of higher education.”

CFA Chief Executive Jenny Hewell said: “We are delighted to add the Higher Apprenticeship in project management to CFA’s portfolio of apprenticeship schemes. The Higher Apprenticeship in project management will enable learners throughout England to develop the skills identified by employers as those required to become successful project managers and invigorate the UK’s economy.”

APM Chief Executive Andrew Bragg said: “Project management aspires to be a highly inclusive profession, and APM is proud of its latest collaborative venture to create new routes into project management which overcome the rigidities associated with some traditional entry routes whilst fully upholding their rigour.”

The Higher Apprenticeship in project management will provide progression routes for those wishing to enter into the profession or further their career in other disciplines using project management skills. This will provide an opportunity to increase competency and fill identified skills gaps within the profession. The need for improved competence in project management is a key issue and is a fundamental element of APM’s vision that all projects succeed.

APM and CfA were one of 21 successful bids from over 130 applications for the funding received by NAS and the Skills Funding Agency. Apprenticeships showcase the need to progress from assessing knowledge, through traditional qualifications, to developing competence and experience. As part of the bid, APM will develop a new qualification at minimum level 4 in the QCF which will be a fundamental element to the apprenticeship framework being developed by APM and CfA, and which will be delivered over a number of years in conjunction with employers including BT, Thales, Babcock International Group and Cheltenham Borough Council.

Should anyone like to help with the development of Higher Apprenticeships in project management then they may register their interest.