Find out which project management certifications can help you acquire the skills you need for project management roles.
No matter how small, where it is located, or what industry it serves, every business needs to rely on project management to succeed. Without effective project managers, a company will find it difficult to deliver new products and services to customers, increase revenue, and meet other important business goals.
Besides earning a degree, a current or aspiring project management professional can also enroll in courses and earn a certificate in project management to go further. Knowing which certification is worth the time, effort, and money can be a challenge with so many options to choose from.
Continue reading to learn about project management certifications and how they can benefit someone looking to increase their knowledge, improve their skills, and land a project management position. judgment.
Why Earn a Project Management Certification?
Project management skills can help job seekers improve their marketability and show potential employers the value they can bring to the organization. Projects are increasingly complex and resource-intensive, meaning employers need to invest in a solid project manager with the expertise and project management skills to get the job done.
Project managers are in demand in almost every industry, from construction to advertising and everything related. A survey by the Project Management Institute (PMI) found that US project managers have earned the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. reported a 26% higher salary than those who don’t.
When a hiring manager or recruiter browses through thousands of resumes, those with a project management certification may rank higher, meaning those candidates will have a better chance of getting hired at an organization. higher rank. While this is not a guarantee, it is generally understood that earning this type of certification can increase the value of a job seeker in a tight labor market.
UNDERSTAND: Recruitment Toolkit: Project Managers (TechRepublic Premium)
Best Project Management Certificate
For those interested in getting a project management certification, you should research which certification will help them improve their skills, build knowledge, and potentially advance their careers. Here are some of the best project management certifications to consider.
PMP . Certification
In a word, the PMP certification is the most recognized in the project management industry. It is considered the “gold standard” for project management. Those who earn this certification can often work in any industry, use any method, and be successful in different situations. There are also useful online training courses for professionals who want to take the PMP exam and earn a certificate.
Top performing companies such as ExxonMobil, Apple, Exelon, and SAIC often hire project managers with PMP certification. PMI has a number of criteria that professionals must meet to be eligible for the PMP certification. These criteria can be found directly on the official website of PMI and other resources for professionals looking to earn a PMP.
CAPM . Certification
The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a suitable option for those just starting out in their professional project management career. The CAPM certification proves that an entry-level project manager has a strong background in project management. It takes a lot of experience to be a solid project manager. However, this certification can help young professionals earned their first professional role and become more marketable to potential employers.
Before earning a PMP certification, many beginner project managers will complete training and receive a CAPM certification. Acquiring CAPM certification is easier because it has fewer requirements than PMP. For example, professionals must have 23 hours of formal project management training, much less than the hours required for a PMP certification.
PRINCE2 Foundation / PRINCE2 Students
The PRINCE2 Foundation or PRINCE2 Practitioner certifications are two other highly sought-after certifications for project managers. Government agencies and organizations are often looking for candidates with these certifications provided by AXELOSa joint venture between the UK government and Capita.
These certifications can help professionals improve their skills and competencies. Both focus on managing a project from inception (initiation) to completion (delivery). PRINCE2 Foundation is a more basic certification and PRINCE2 Practitioner is a more advanced certification. Many will earn the Foundation Foundation certification before the Learner, but both are some of the best in the industry.
SEE: Top keyboard shortcuts you need to know (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
Certified Agile Project Manager (IAPM)
Last but not least, the Certified Agile Project Manager certification is offered by the International Association of Project Managers (IAPM). IAPM recommends register for Agile courses online, read related literature and spend some time researching some of the key topics. Scrum roles, product backlog, team building, conflict management, and project environments are some examples of related topics for this certification.
This certification is best suited for managers looking to enhance their skills and develop their knowledge, especially in Agile project management. Professionals need to have some basic understanding of Agile, but No specific amount of project experience is required for this certification.
While there are many other project management certifications on the market, these are some of the best options to choose from and can help project management professionals improve their skills. Earning certification is a big undertaking — that said, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks.
Consider earning a project management certificate
Project management roles are becoming increasingly popular, so those interested in them must stand out from the crowd. One way to do this is to earn a certification, which allows someone to demonstrate their skills and knowledge to potential employers.
While these certifications may not guarantee the ambitious or seasoned project manager the job, it will be a step in the right direction towards earning a certification that will take their career ahead. a new height.
