We are often asked the question by potential students “Will PRINCE2 training enhance my project management career prospects?” There is a very simple answer to this – Yes!

Most people considering PRINCE2 qualifications do so for career and/or personal development reasons. In the current economic climate, this is often driven by a change of job or career direction, sometimes not by choice. There is strong evidence that indicates that having up to date PRINCE2 qualifications could be the difference between being selected for a new position, whether you have years of project management experience or not. It could, in certain cases, be the difference between selected to stay in your current position or being released.

Over the past few years, PRINCE2 has become the recognised international standard for project management and many advertised positions now state PRINCE2 qualifications as a prerequisite, without which an application may be rejected. As an example, a recent query on the UK website ITJOBSWATCH (April 2010) indicated that over 60% of permanent IT project management jobs on the site now include PRINCE2 qualifications as a requirement.

However, PRINCE2 is a generic project management method and its use is not restricted to the IT sector. After a relatively slow start following its launch in 1996, the demand for PRINCE2 qualifications has surged in recent years. This is due to organisations across all industry sectors recognising the benefits of implementing a structured approach to project management and its effects on delivering projects. This has, not surprisingly, led to a surge in demand for PRINCE2 qualified staff.

Having originated in the UK Public Sector, the method is understandably widely used there. It is the standard method for project management across the Public Sector. PRINCE2 is used by all Central Government departments such as the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Home Office and the department for Business Innovation and Skills. It is also used across the National Health Service and the Local Government sectors, some examples being Manchester City Council and Norfolk County Council, both long-term users of the method. Consequently, project management positions in the public sector are likely to demand PRINCE2 qualifications.

The growth in demand for PRINCE2 qualifications though has not been driven entirely by the Public Sector. There has been very significant growth in recent years through the adoption of the method by many other organisations. Some of these represent suppliers to the public sector, where having PRINCE2 trained staff is a requirement for bidding for work on Government contracts and these suppliers are likely to require PRINCE2 qualifications for project management positions. However, PRINCE2 is currently being used very widely across all industry sectors in the United Kingdom, including Banking, Construction, Engineering, Transport, Utilities, IT and Telecommunications.

Despite its UK roots, demand for the qualifications has also surged internationally. The latest figures from APMG (the examiners of PRINCE2) indicate that over 400,000 students worldwide have successfully passed examinations in PRINCE2. To fulfil this demand there are over 175 accredited training organisations internationally. The PRINCE2 manual is currently available in 9 languages and examinations are available in English, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Danish, Polish, Spanish and Chinese in 89 countries worldwide.
The United Nations adopted PRINCE2 for the UN Development Programme a number of years ago and has implemented PRINCE2 internally in 150 countries. There is also growing interest from the USA where they have started to recognise the benefits of using the PRINCE2 method alongside their existing standard for project management, the Project Management Institute Body of Knowledge (PMI/PMBOK).

From UK Public Sector beginnings, PRINCE2 has become the international standard for project management and PRINCE2 qualifications are now in demand worldwide. Having up to date PRINCE2 qualifications could be a passport a new position or even to an international career in project management.

This article was written by Ian Rosser on behalf of AFA. AFA deliver are accredited by the APM Group to deliver PRINCE2 Training Courses. Assisting you to deliver change whether at the personal, team, project, programme portfolio or organisational level.

I decided to put together some information on the training and certification available for Project Managers.

The following gives some idea of approximate cost and the length of training, perhaps therefore the time needed out of your schedule.

Name of Qualification	Level	Organisation	Training Duration	Approximate Cost *	Training Providers
PRINCE2	Basic	OGC	1 week	£1750
PRINCE2	Basic / Intermediate	OGC	Various	Various	http://www.afaprojects.com/ resources_prince2.asp
PRINCE2	Intermediate	OGC	Various	Various	http://www.tpgacademy.com
CAPM	Intermediate	PMI	3 days	Various	www.xpertise.co.uk www.seeklearning.co.uk
PMP	Intermediate	PMI	1 week	£1500
APM – Introductory Certificate in Project Management	Basic	APM	2 days	£150	http://www.ilxgroup.com/ http://www.pmprofessional.co.uk www.sterialearningservices.co.uk www.quanta.co.uk www.qa-iq.com
APMP	Intermediate	APM	5 days	£300	www.tpgacademy.com http://www.pmprofessional.co.uk www.parity.net/training www.hemsleyfraser.co.uk
APMP Practitioner Qualification	Advanced	APM	2.5 days	£2500	http://www.ilxgroup.com/ http://www.pmprofessional.co.uk
Foundation Certificate in IS Project Management	Basic	ISEB	3 days	£150	www.parity.net/training www.qa-iq.com www.sterialearningservices.co.uk
Certificate in IS Project Management	Intermediate	ISEB	5 days	£2000	www.ilxgroup.com www.parity.net/training www.qa-iq.com www.sterialearningservices.co.uk
ISEB Certificate in Programme and Project Support Office Essentials	Basic	ISEB	4 days	£150	www.ilxgroup.com www.sterialearningservices.co.uk www.parity.net/training
Advanced Certificate in Programme and Project Support Office	Intermediate	ISEB	5 days	£2000	www.ilxgroup.com www.parity.net/training www.sterialearningservices.co.uk

In this economic climate it is worth doing anything possible to improve how the CV looks and to differentiate yourself to look more professional than the next contractor to get a contract…

Many of my colleagues have been out of contract for some time and getting an APM or PMP member status is a quick and cheap way of improving the CV, that doesn’t require the time and cash and study that a new qualification would require.

The added bonus of joining a Project Management professional body is to increase your network to increase chances of getting a contract. In a difficult market, what contracts do exisit, go to those contractors who have worked with the hiring manager or team members before and then to those recommended via a network as opposed to “random” applications via Jobserve etc..

Below I have written all the info. I know regarding the Project Management professional bodies – this may help you understand the costs and admin. required to join. Enjoy:

Professional Bodies

There are two professional bodies for Project Managers and also other relevant professional bodies many Project Managers may be part of. The advantage of joining a professional body is:

• It looks good on the CV
• Discounts on training and exams
• Networking with other Project Managers
• “Free” seminars and talks
• “Free” Newsletters and publications
• Advice and back up from the “voice” of the profession when required

The Professional Contractors Group (PCG)

Before I mention more specific Project Management professional groups it may be worth mentioning the PCG. Joining this organisation shows you are professional contractor and is a source of advice and tools on many contractor issues, such as IR35 information, professional indemnity insurance etc.

Joining the PCG was peace of mind for me, I know as a member I can pick up the phone and ask advice on anything, also there are online forums, free legal and tax help lines and contract examples and templates as well as benefits, such as dispute insurance, PAYE audit cover, Jury service insurance and discounts on products.

For more details, please see – http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php

APM

This is the European specific project management professional body. Membership of APM provides the support and resources of a large, well-known professional body, as well as a clear professional qualification path, training and four levels of membership:

• Student
• Associate (less than five years experience)
• Full member (MAPM) (five years plus)
• Fellow (FAPM) (five years + contributions to the profession)

The APM offers support and focus of knowledge and training for the Project Management profession, as well as events, such as the APM Conference and talks on topics, such as Risk Management, Business Case, Scheduling, etc. As well as offering comprehensive PM qualifications (see previous pages for APM qualifications). Membership costs are as follows:

For more details, please see –

http://www.apm.org.uk/page.asp?categoryID=3&subCategoryID=22&pageID=0

PMI

The PMI is a worldwide professional body. Although US biased in my opinion, membership to this professional body is recognised throughout the world and shows a commitment to the Project Management Profession.

Benefits to membership, as well as being recognised as being part of this famous organisation, include; Knowledge sharing and networking opportunities through PMI communities (you can join a local chapter where there are meetings and events). PMI also offers certification, famously the CAPM, PMP and PgMP.

Membership costs $129.00 (approximately £75.00) per year.

For more details, please see –http://www.pmi.org/GetInvolved/Pages/The-Benefits-and-Types-of-Membership.aspx

BCS

Any Project Manager who deals with IT or manages IT projects may want to join the BCS. The BCS is the professional body for all things IT.

BCS membership provides industry recognition of IT skills and experience and is the pathway to Chartered IT Professional Status (CITP), this is useful as an IT professional (I have obtained this) and is recognised worldwide, apparently especially helping if moving to Australia to work in IT!

The BCS have a Project Management group called PROMS-G – the Project Management Specialist Group, which provides a forum to enable the exchange of information, skills, techniques and methods, which will enhance the professional status of project management within IT and related industries. PROMS-G also creates and distributes the publication “Project Manager Today” on a monthly basis, which is a good publication. The BCS has membership grades, based on experience:

For more details, please see –http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=nav.00100e003

IIBA

The International Institute of Business Analysis – is a worthwhile organisation for Business Analysis skills.

Normally outside of the scope of Project Managers, however, I am wary that BA skills are prevalent in PM roles and manyProject Management roles are split BA/PM roles, as were many of mine.

Therefore I thought this organisation was at least worth a mention here. For more details, please see: http://www.theiiba.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home.