Association For Project Management (APM) Training Courses
What is the APM (Association for Project Management)?
The Association for Project Management is a British professional organisation for project and programme managers.
In 2017, it was granted a Royal Charter and became a registered charity. It currently has over 37,500 individuals and 550 corporations as members and is the UK’s leading project management organisation. Its headquarters are in Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire. APM qualifications map to those from the International Project Management Association (IPMA).
APM FIVE dimensions
The APM is committed to helping professionals develop themselves professionally by providing them with career guidance, training, and resources.
The FIVE dimensions are:
Breadth
The APM Body of Knowledge (APMBOK) defines the knowledge required for the successful completion of any type of project. It underpins many PM methodologies and practices including the National Occupational Standard in Projects.
Depth
The APM Competency Framework provides a guide to what skills and knowledge are needed for successful management of projects. It helps people progress through their careers by mapping levels of knowledge and expertise.
Achievement
APM qualifications are recognized throughout the industry and align with IPMA’S four-level certification program.
Commitment
The APM suggests Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to help you improve your project-managing skill set. Targeting specific training can help you advance your career.
Accountability
The APM Code of Professional Conduct defines the professional responsibilities an APM should be held accountable for. Membership in APM indicates their membership in the code and makes them different than those who aren’t members.
APM Body of Knowledge (APMBOK)
The APM has created its own project management body of knowledge called the APM Body of Knowledge (APMBOK) which complements the PRINCE2 methodology.
Some of the major chapters of the APMBOK are similar to readers of the previous edition of the American PMBOK® guidebook. For example, topics such as benefits, risks, values, costs, schedules, procurement, governance, and assurance are all aspects of business operations that fall under the preview of PMBOK.
What are APM qualifications?
The APM has a wide range of project management professional qualification options available for people working in the UK. The most popular ones are the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (APM PFQ) and APM Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ). You can study for an exam either through self-study using online learning or through attending a class.
Listed below are the different APM qualifications:
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (APM PFQ)
The APM PFQ provides a basic understanding of terms related to project management, which gives you the ability to contribute positively to any project management initiative.
Who is it for?
This is designed for anyone who wants to learn about the principles of the profession, regardless of their current level of experience. There is no prerequisite knowledge or experience required for this qualification
APM Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ)
The APM PMQ is a knowledge-based qualification. It allows you to show off your knowledge of all aspects of project management. You’ll be able to show an understanding of how these different elements fit together and how your project fits within your strategic and commercial environments.
Who is it for?
This qualification is for anyone who wants to take part in any kind of project. Typically, you’ll already have some experience managing projects. It’ll be an ideal next step for anyone who holds the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification.
APM Project Professional Qualification (APM PPQ)
The APM PPQ measures your abilities to manage professional project teams. It evaluates your skills across four key domains: Project Management, People Management, Quality Assurance, and Risk Management.
Who is it for?
The APM PPQ is aimed at any project professional either:
- wanting to move up in their current role and hoping for an exciting new challenge
- having APM Project Management Qualification or equivalent
- wanting to become a full member of APM (MAPM)
- wanting to achieve the Chartered project professional (CPP) standard via route 1.
APM Major Project Leadership Specialist certificate
The APM Major Project Leadership Specialist certificate is designed to recognise the leadership qualities of those who manage major projects, programmes, and/or portfolios.
Who is it for?
The certificate is aimed primarily at project managers who have led projects for which they were responsible for delivering results. You’re most likely to be:
- accountable for delivering a major part of a large project/programme/high investment one.
- managing very senior/public/political stakeholders.
- a project director.
- responsible for direct line management of people e.g., project managers as direct reports.
- established in a role or progressing through an organisation.
APM Project Risk Management Single Subject certificate
The APM Project Risk Management Single Subject certification has two levels. It builds on the knowledge gained from the APM Project Management Qualification or similar project management qualifications
Level 1 determines whether a candidate has enough knowledge of the topic to be able to contribute to risk mitigation within a project.
Level 2 allows candidates to understand the risks associated with projects and manage their own level of risk.
Who is it for?
The certificate is designed for professionals who want to learn more and explore risk management and apply it in programme management.
What APM training courses are available?
APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (APM PFQ) course
To enter the project manager career path in the United Kingdom, you must first complete the APM Project Fundamenta¬l Qualification (APQ). You can enrol yourself to take the APM PFQ courses and learn the basic concepts of project management using modern best practices and be prepared to make a positive impact on your projects.
Learning outcomes
The APM PFQ training course teaches students a basic understanding of projects management such as:
- Project plan
- Project life cycles
- Work environment of a project
- Roles and responsibilities of team members
- Benefits management
- Stakeholder management
- Scope management
- Change management
- Risk management
- Schedule management and resource optimisation
- Control and collaboration
- Communication across team members.
APM Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ) course
The APM Project Management Qualification (formerly known as the APMP) is for project managers wanting to build on their existing project management knowledge and advance in their project manager careers.
Learning outcomes
The APM Project Management Qualification training course teaches students a high-level of knowledge about managing projects. It includes topics such as the interaction between project components, the role of stakeholders, and how these factors affect the success of a project.
The APM PMQ course provides an understanding of:
- Project life cycles
- Scope management
- The situational framework of projects
- Organisation structure
- Project plans
- Leadership standards
- Communication within project members
- Risk and issue management
- Project delivery
- Scheduling and resource optimisation
- Quality of the project.
What are the benefits of being APM certified?
It’s an advantage for you and your company if you’re certified in project management. You don’t need to pursue certification if you’re already qualified for the job. However, there are several reasons why you might want to consider doing so.
Boost your marketability
It will help you stand out from the crowd by showing employers that you’re an expert at managing projects.
Certifications establish your commitment to continuous improvement throughout your career. This demonstrates to employers, managers, and clients that you’re committed to becoming recognised as a top project manager.
Employers are always searching for professionals who have a proven history of professional development and how they will help complete their project successfully. More importantly, a project manager certificate can help you to take up new responsibilities. Getting certified shows your boss or a potential employer that you’re ready to take on bigger responsibilities.
Gain a common language for project management
It will help you plan and organize your projects throughout your entire career. Certifications teach you essential techniques and help you understand best practices. It helps you talk about them in a way that everyone understands.
Being able to communicate effectively across different departments or teams helps them understand each other better and allows them to work together more efficiently.
Earn more
Adding experience to your resume will always increase your earning potential but having an industry recognised certification can help you earn even more. Top companies are always looking for professionals who hold recognized qualifications and may require them for higher paid positions.
If you hold a recognised professional qualification, it could help you land a job or win business from clients who want to see evidence of your skills.
It can also be helpful for expanding your professional network. Joining an association for project managers could open new career paths, roles, clients and possibly even mentoring.
Provides international recognition
Project management certifications are created by authoritative and reputable organizations within the industry. These organisations ensure that their certifications are recognised globally, so they’re able to offer high quality qualifications.
APM Project Management Professional (APM) exam, is recognized worldwide as a sign of skill and commitment among project professionals.