APM research shows Project Management emerging to become a first career choice
Association for Project Management
As students across the country receive their A level results, the outstanding grades are not just a sign of dedication and knowledge – they also show effective project management skills as students’ planning and scheduling produced an impressive set of outcomes.
APM’s latest student research, conducted by Opinium, shows project management becoming increasingly popular as a first-career choice with 16-21 year olds. It was the top career choice for 21-year olds (20% at this age) as students at the end of their degree focus on what their next career step will be. More universities now offer project management degrees and/or courses as institutions respond to more companies working in a project-based way.
For those not going to university, the Associate Project Manager apprenticeship is one of the most popular standards. The new Project Manager degree apprenticeship gives a no-cost route to a degree – as well as a built-in professional qualification.
“As the project profession becomes a recognised discipline in its own right, I look forward to seeing the professional body promote the opportunities for those at the start of their career, as well as those who already have several years’ experience or another career,” said John McGlynn, APM’s Chairman.
APM’s research also showed that nearly 60% of careers professionals and teachers see Chartered as an important driver for recommending a career to their students. APM’s new Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) designation puts the project profession on an equal footing with more traditional areas such as engineering, accountancy and surveying.
Unsurprisingly, access to information and opportunity is key - three-quarters of careers professionals and teachers stated that more students would consider project management as a career if there were more available. And nearly 80% thought that access to more work experience opportunities would increase interest in the profession.
“APM’s new education outreach programme is already addressing the key issues contained within the report,” said Caspar Bartington, APM’s Education Manager.
“With new apprentice and graduate ambassador networks delivering more events and content for young people (only 9% of students had spoken with a current apprentice) and their parents (69% of students see their parents as the most valuable source of careers advice), across a range of media, the future is bright for the project profession, which cuts across every sector of the economy both in the UK and beyond.”
