What makes the role of Project Manager highly sought after in the UK?

Key Qualifications and Experience Required for Project Manager Roles in the UK

• To become a successful Project Manager, you need a bachelor’s degree in project management, business management, managerial economics, or business law, which can indicate that you possess a comprehensive understanding of project management aspects. 
• Pursuing a master’s degree provides more extensive knowledge, with up to two years of advanced training in areas such as risk and time management, budgeting, and scope definition. Opting for a master’s degree is an excellent decision if your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated field.
• Additionally, gaining experience in an environment that exposes you to project management is crucial. This can be achieved through internships or getting involved in organizations that align with your career goals. 
• It’s important to develop the right personal skills, such as effective communication and relationship building with the project team, and having a mentor who is an expert in your career path.

Note: Educational qualifications are not mandatory.

Project Management Certifications in the UK

The Project Management Institute, UK, provides professional Project Management certifications in the UK. Some of them are:

1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
2. Project Management Professional (PMP) 
3. Program Management Professional (PgMP)
4. The Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
5. The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
6. The PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
7. The PMI Scheduling Professional qualification (PMI-SP)

Responsibilities of  Project Manager

A project manager is responsible for overseeing a project’s entire lifecycle, from inception to completion. Here’s how Project Managers contribute to successful project delivery in the UK.

• By collaborating with subject matter experts to develop a comprehensive project plan.
• By selecting and vetting a team of qualified personnel for the project.
• By consulting with experts and procuring necessary resources and equipment for specific project tasks.
• By negotiating compensation for contractors and other members of the project management team.
• By advertising for contractors to submit bids on projects.
• By working closely with investors or stakeholders to ensure project goals are achieved.
• By providing progress updates to stakeholders.
• By supervising all phases of the project from start to finish.
• By identifying strengths and weaknesses of the team.
• By recognizing opportunities and risks at each stage of the project.
• By concluding the project when it meets the required deliverable standards.

Benefits

Becoming a qualified project professional in the UK offers several career directions. Here are some of the top reasons why Project Manager is a highly sought-after role in the UK.

• Chartered status is attainable: Association for Project Management (APM) grants Chartered status to experienced project managers who meet the requirements. Gaining chartered status means you are acknowledged as having achieved a specific level of competence in your field of work, providing international recognition and boosting your CV. 

• Big corporations value PM qualifications: Companies look for certified professionals with recognized qualifications, and invest time in helping their project managers develop and advance.

• The pay is attractive: The average project manager salary in the UK is £47,500, according to the latest Salary and Market Trends Survey 2019 by APM. 

• Job satisfaction is high: According to the same survey, eight out of ten project professionals are satisfied with their work, and seven out of ten expect a pay raise in the coming year. 
• There is a gap between job growth and talent, with employers predicted to require 87.7 million employees working in project management roles by 2027. This gap would cost around $207.9 billion in GDP, making project management one of the most desired careers.
• Due to increasing competition and limited resources in all industries, organizations require efficient and swift measures to bring positive changes. Seeking employees with a combination of skills rather than just specialized talent helps maximize output and minimize costs.
• Investing in project management is a successful technique, with organizations that do so wasting 28 times less money than those that do not. Project management has made its way into various sectors, such as healthcare, infrastructure, and IT.
• Rapid technological advancement has played a crucial role in the growth of project management. Information services and publishing are predicted to create 5.5 million project management jobs between 2017 to 2027, making it the second most significant sector to do so after manufacturing and construction.
• The infrastructure industry in the UK presents immense potential for growth in project management-related jobs, making career prospects bright for those pursuing an education in project management.

We at ALLEN Career Institute have been offering coaching for competitive exams, including engineering and medical programs for over 34 years. We aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become exceptional professionals. 

We recognize the significance of pursuing an international career, which is why we established the ALLEN Global Studies Division. Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive guidance and support throughout the entire international application process. We possess the expertise and resources to assist you at every step of the application process. If you aspire to expand your global horizons, we encourage you to consider joining the ALLEN Global Studies Division.