Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship – Reference Number: ST0310

Who is it for?

The Associate Project Manager apprenticeship is ideal for individuals who are new to, or would like to improve upon, their skills and behaviours within the field of Project Management. Upon completion, project managers will know what needs to be achieved, how it will be achieved, how long it will take and how much it will cost. Associate project managers will have good planning, organisation, leadership, management and communication skills. They will utilise resources to work together in a motivated and integrated team, with clearly defined reporting lines, roles, responsibilities and authorities. With a bespoke programme design, this qualification is both for those that are new to Project Management, or are experienced leaders.

How is the Training Delivered and what can you expect?

Larger cohorts can have training delivered in-house, at a convenient time. For smaller cohorts, training will be delivered at one of 19 study centres throughout the UK. These study centres deliver classes at flexible times outside of work hours therefore not impacting on the day to day business. All apprentices will have access to a virtual learning environment www.oxcomlearning.com for extra reading, study and communication.

The apprenticeship will take approximately 18-24 months to complete during which time the apprentice will gather evidence that apprenticeship outcomes have been met. During this time, the apprentice will have regular meetings (every 6-8 weeks) with their mentor / assessor to check progress.

Embedded within the Associate Project Manager apprenticeship is the Association for Project Management Project Management Qualification (PMQ).  As an accredited training provider, the college have worked closely with APM to deliver this professional qualification for a number of years. With this experience, trainers are able to offer a tailored programme to your organisation.

For those who may not possess such experience, the Oxford College of Leadership and Management will also provide access to a precursor course; the Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ), to prepare individuals for the full apprenticeship programme.

What will be covered?

As part of the apprenticeship, learners will be supported by the attainment of the Project Management Qualification (PMQ) from the Association of Project Management (APM).

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, Project Managers will have knowledge and an understanding of:

Consolidated Planning

  • Purpose and formats for consolidated plans to support overall management, taking account of lessons learnt and how the plans balance fundamental components of scope, schedule, resources, budgets, risks and quality requirements.

Project Stakeholder Management

  • Stakeholders: their perspectives, different interests and levels of influence upon project outcomes.

Project Governance, Communication and Leadership

  • Different types of organisational structures and responsibilities, functions and project phases on different types of project. How governance can control and manage the successful delivery of projects. The significance of the project management plan (PMP).

  • Key contexts of a project communication plan, its effectiveness in managing different stakeholders. Factors which can affect communications such as cultural and physical barriers.

  • The vision and values of the project and its links to objectives; the ways in which these can be effectively communicated and reinforced to team members and stakeholders. Leadership styles, qualities and the importance of motivation on team performance. Characteristics of the working environment which encourage and sustain high performance.

Budgeting and Cost Control

  • Funding, estimating, overheads; direct costs, indirect costs, fixed costs, variable costs and an overall budget for a project; tracking systems for actual costs, accruals and committed costs; alternative cost breakdowns to provide for graphical representations, and performance management.

  • Preparation and/or maintenance of business cases, including benefits management.

Project Scope and Schedule

  • Requirements management, and evaluation of alternative methods to learn from the past to improve delivery. Project scope change control, baseline change management, configuration management.

  • Scheduling and estimating for project activities including how they can be quality assessed. Progress monitoring and metrics to assess work performed against the schedule. Schedule management methods to evaluate and revise activities to improve confidence in delivery.

Project Quality and Context

  • Quality management processes, assurance and improvements. Outcomes of a quality management plan, metrics for processes and quality standards.

  • The different contexts in which projects can be delivered, including health, safety, and environment management. The interdependencies between project(s), programme(s) and portfolio management. Project phases and key review points, across project life cycles.

Project Risk and Issue Management

  • The need for and implementation of a risk management plan. Risk management methods and techniques to identify and prioritise threats or opportunities. Mitigation actions to minimise risk impacts and to optimise benefits by managing opportunities.

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, Project Managers will have and be able to exhibit skills in the following areas:

Stakeholder and Communications Management

  • Manage stakeholders, taking account of their levels of influence and particular interests. Manage conflicts and negotiations. Communicate to a variety of different audiences. Contribute to negotiations relating to project objectives.

Budgeting and Cost Control

  • Develop and agree project budgets, monitor forecast and actual costs against them and control changes. Support funding submissions. Tracking systems for actual costs, accruals and committed costs; structures for alternative cost breakdowns.

Business Case

  • Contribute to the preparation or maintenance of a business case including achieving required outcomes.

Schedule, Quality and Resource Management

  • Determine, control and manage changes to the scope of a project, including assumptions, dependencies and constraints.

  • Prepare and maintain schedules for activities aligned to project delivery.

  • Identify and monitor project risk or opportunity, plan and implement responses to them, contribute to a risk management plan. Respond to and manage issues within a defined governance structure.

  • Develop a quality management plan, manage project assurance, and contribute to peer reviews. Utilise an organisation’s continual improvement process including lessons learned.

  • Develop resource management plans for project activities, acquire and manage resources including commitment acceptance, monitor progress against plans.

Consolidated Planning

  • Consolidate and document the fundamental components of projects. Monitor progress against the consolidated plan and refine as appropriate, implementing the change control process where relevant.

Contract Management and Procurement

  • Facilitate a procurement process, contribute to the definition of contractual agreements and contribute to managing a contract.

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, Project Managers will exhibit the following behaviours:

Collaboration and Team Work

  • Communicates direction, and supports the vision for project delivery.

Leadership

  •  Understands and is effective as part of an integrated team.

Effective and Appropriate Communication

  • Working effectively with and influencing others, taking account of diversity and equality. Influences and facilitates effective team performance.

Drive for Results

  • Demonstrates clear commitment to achieving results, and improving performance.

Integrity, Ethics, Compliance and Professionalism