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Prince2 or APM?

Posted: Thu 08 Dec 2011 1:46 pm
by kwalford
Hi there,

I am new to the board and seeking advice on a PM certification to study.

I know that experience is priceless but I would like to get a Cert which would help me get into a PM career. I am currently working for an IT support company, and do have an interest in IT.

I know, or think I know anyway, that Prince2 is more for the public sector and IT but I want a Cert which will be the most desired to potential employeers, please advise. I am planning on studying in my own time (online etc) and really want to make sure I am studying the 'correct' course before I put a lot of time into doing so.

Any other advice is greatly welcome, many thanks.

Re: Prince2 or APM?

Posted: Thu 08 Dec 2011 3:01 pm
by Esther Fry
There are a wealth of project management qualifications out there, including many offered by the APM. Information on the APM qualifications is available on APM qualification information but to give you a full picture of your choices, including but independent of APM, you may find this article helpful Programme & Project Management Accreditations and Qualifications. There are also a number of organisations offering these qualifications, and the main 3 (APM, APM Group and PMI) are detailed in this article Combining APM, PMI and PRINCE2 into a holistic approach to project management?

In terms of the PRINCE2 qualification, this has the benefit of being widely recognised within the UK, although it is very much a delivery method and so does not touch upon some of the wider issues within project management. Another article that may be of interest on this is APM or PRINCE2 Qualifications ā€“ one or both?

I have recently taken the APMP myself and can personally recommend it, and I am due to take PRINCE2 in the near future, so although Iā€™m currently unable to comment on PRINCE2, I look forward to taking it and benefiting from both complimentary approaches.

There is also some interesting data on project management qualifications and the relationship to salaries provided by Arras People. Accreditations ā€“ Are They Worth Taking?

I hope this helps - as you can see from the above articles, you are not the only one asking this question. All the best with your decision and in your future studies

Re: Prince2 or APM?

Posted: Thu 08 Dec 2011 6:58 pm
by dhaughey
I would add the Project Managemt Professional (PMP) into the mix. It's a qualification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is the most globally recognised qualification.

Out of all the widely offered qualifications it is the most difficult to attain. I have passed by my PMP and PRINCE2 and for me they make a great combination that employers value.

You can find out more about the PMP in this article:

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)

Also visit http://www.pmi.org

Best of luck with your studies.

Duncan

Re: Prince2 or APM?

Posted: Thu 08 Dec 2011 8:09 pm
by kwalford
Thanks for the advice both of you, helpful reading.

Am I right in saying that Prince2 might not be the best course to do for someone starting from fresh? I was planning on reading a few books to giev me a 'basic' understanding before delving into a course like Prince2.

Duncan, I will check out the PMP. Do many employers value this in the UK? I am trying to do a cert which will get me into employment in the UK.

Re: Prince2 or APM?

Posted: Fri 09 Dec 2011 11:29 am
by Esther Fry
Hello again!

APM Group also offer a PRINCE foundation qualification, which can be taken on its own, or as part of the PRINCE2 practitioner qualification, so there are options if you didn't want to jump straight in at practitioner level. APM also offer an Introductory Certificate (a 2 day course providing a, well, introduction to project management).

To get an overview of the 3 main project management organisations in the UK; APM, APM Group and PMI, here's a link to a blog post that provides information to follow on from the first one I linked to (detailing all of the pm quals available) that might be helpful: Combining APM, PMI and PRINCE2 into a holistic approach to project management?

I hope this helps, and all the best in your decisions

Esther