In the fast-moving pace of today’s business world, effective project management has become a cornerstone for success. As companies strive for efficiency and excellence in their operations, the demand for skilled project managers continues to rise. If you often think you have the skills and ability to organise projects, streamline processes, and can lead a team to success, it might be the perfect time to begin training to become a project manager. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons behind this career choice, the skills required, and the steps that you will need to follow to start your new career journey to becoming a qualified project manager.
The Growing Need for Project Managers
Businesses are constantly changing and evolving, and with this evolution comes the need for individuals who can navigate a team through implementing these changes for the project life cycle. Project managers play a pivotal role in ensuring that goals are met, resources are utilised efficiently, and projects are delivered on time and within budget. The demand for skilled and qualified project managers covers almost every industry, making it a desirable career choice for many.
Did you know that 89% of all organisations have at least one Project Management Office? (Project.co 2024)
Developing Essential Skills
Becoming a successful project manager requires lots of diverse skills including:
- Technical knowledge
- Strong communication
- Leadership
- Organizational skills
- Decision making
- Problem solving
- Adapting to unforeseen circumstances
You may already have some of these skills; perhaps developed within your previous employment, or even within hobbies/interests that you participate in during your free time.
Undertaking one of the recognised training programs not only equips you with the necessary theoretical knowledge of how to tackle a project from start to finish, but also provides practical insights and real-world scenarios to enhance these essential skills.
Recognizing Your Passion and Strengths
Before diving into project management training, take some time to think about your interests, strengths, and career goals.
Are you passionate about leading teams and solving complex problems?
Do you enjoy balancing multiple tasks and deadlines?
Understanding your motivations and strengths will help you tailor your training as you progress and then, later in your career, focus on areas that align with your aspirations.
Choosing the Right Training Program
The path to becoming a project manager involves completing a recognised accredited training programme and successful completion of an exam.
Consider programs such as PMP (Project Management Professional) or PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) to gain globally recognized certifications.
Numerous education providers and online platforms offer project management courses that cater to different levels of expertise. Online courses can start from as little as £796 (including exam fee) and the average completion time is 3 months for someone who is working full-time and studying part-time (ICSlearn 2024).
Additionally, you can explore courses that cover agile methodologies, risk management, and stakeholder engagement to broaden your skill set. But, again, do your research to see if the industry you are interested in working within has any particular additional element requirements.
Gaining Practical Experience
While theoretical knowledge is crucial, practical experience is equally valuable and will be a good start to your career to reference back to experiences, linking theory to practice.
Many education providers incorporate case studies, simulations, or internships that learners to gain hands-on experience. It is worth paying extra for a provider offering this service if you are new to working with any projects as this will be a valid reference to help get you to your first job as a project manager.
Continuing Professional Development
Throughout your career, you will be required to document how you are continuously learning and developing your skills and keeping updated with the latest trends and demands of project management.
Currently, if you hold a PRINCE2 project manager qualification (either Foundation level or Practitioner level), you will need to renew your certificate every three years. Re-taking your original exam or submitting the required number of points for your CPD log (Continual Professional Development) are just two ways to validate your qualification for another three years.
Starting Salary
Now onto one of the most important questions, what is the starting salary of a project manager in the UK? According to Totaljobs.com, the starting salary for a qualified Junior Project Manager working full-time is £29k. After only 2 years of experience, this figure jumps to £42k and can reach up to £54k.
Depending on the industry you work within as a project manager, a senior project manager can even earn as much as £100k per year! (Indeed.com 2024)
Conclusion
Embarking on the journey to becoming a project manager is a rewarding endeavour that requires a blend of education, skills, and practical experience.
As industries continue to evolve, technology changes, and new ideas are presented, project management becomes an integral part of organisational success and will always be in high demand.
By investing in the right accredited training and honing your skills, you can position yourself as a valuable asset in the dynamic world of project management. Then as your career moves forward, you will be able to lead teams to success by sharing your skills and wisdom, making a significant positive impact on the projects you undertake.