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Summary

Role Profile
Projects can be defined and delivered within different contexts, across diverse industry sectors. They can be large or small. Every project needs to be managed to ensure its success. An associate project manager knows what needs to be achieved, how it will be achieved, how long it will take, how much it will cost, and works with the project team to achieve the required outcomes. Associate project managers need good planning, organisation, leadership, management and communication skills. An associate project manager utilises resources with suitable skills, qualifications, experience and knowledge to work together in a motivated and integrated team, with clearly defined reporting lines, roles, responsibilities and authorities.

Duration
24 months

Programme Delivery
The Association for Project Management (APM) Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) is an introductory certificate which covers elements of the project management life cycle and knowledge areas from the APM Body of Knowledge, including planning and scheduling, communication, teamwork, resource management, project risk management and project reviews. Apprentices will typically complete the PFQ within the first 4 months of starting their apprenticeship to ensure they have the underpinning knowledge.

The PFQ will be delivered over 2 workshops followed by a 1 hour, 60 question multiple choice exam.

The Association for Project Management (APM) Project Management Qualification (PMQ) covers broader knowledge in all areas of project management and covers knowledge areas from the APM Body of Knowledge, including budgeting and cost management, conflict management, communication, earned value management, leadership, negotiation, procurement, sponsorship and teamwork. The PFQ is delivered between month 9 and 12 of the apprenticeship, prior to the EPA Gateway.

The PMQ will be delivered over 5 workshops followed by a 3 hour, 10 question exam.

Resources
Resources will be available through Smart Assessor, the e-portfolio platform used by the college for apprentices.

Assessment Overview
The end point assessment is designed to enable apprentices to demonstrate that they are fully conversant in the skills, knowledge and behaviours expected of individuals at this level. It is designed to provide assessors with a holistic view of the apprentice, and to allow them to assess to what extent the apprentice meets or exceeds the apprenticeship standard.

Summary of roles and responsibilities of the employer to support the apprentice for assessment:

• Will enable the apprentice to develop the evidence through the management of, and input to, relevant project(s) to complete their portfolio.
• May provide context from working with the apprentice.
• May contribute to the assessment of the portfolio of evidence and professional discussion.

Our recommended End Point Assessment Organisation is Academy 4 PM

End point assessment grading
For an apprentice to fully meet the standard they must achieve a minimum score of 45 out of 75 (60%)

The apprentice’s final grade will be determined according to the following: Scores are out of 75.

• Pass: total of the scores from all components in the range 45 to 55
• Merit: total of the scores from all components in the range from 56 to 65
• Distinction: total of the scores from all components in the range 66 to 75
  

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
A Standard contains a list of the skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need to have learned by the end of their apprenticeship.  A portfolio will be compiled throughout the apprenticeship to reflect this and will include evidence collated from the work place. 

Knowledge

• Project Governance
• Project Stakeholder Management
• Project Communication
• Project Leadership
• Consolidated Planning
• Budgeting and Cost Control
• Business Case and Benefits Management
• Project Scope
• Project Schedule
• Resource Management
• Project Risk and Issue Management
• Contract Management and Procurement
• Project Quality
• Project Context

Skills

• Project Governance
• Stakeholder and Communication Management
• Budgeting and Cost Control
• Business Case
• Scope Management
• Consolidated Planning
• Schedule Management
• Risk, and Issue Management
• Contract Management and Procurement
• Quality Management
• Resource Management

Behaviours

• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Leadership
• Effective and Appropriate Communication
• Drive for Results
• Integrity, ethics, compliance and professionalism

20% Off-The-Job Training
“Off-the-job training is a statutory requirement for an apprenticeship. It is training which is received by the apprentice, during the apprentice’s normal working hours, for the purpose of achieving the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship.”

In addition, there will be relevant activities in the workplace which will be discussed and planned with the assessor which will count towards the total hours required.

• Workplace induction.
• Project monitoring and reporting.
• Manage conflicts and negotiations.
• Control and manage changes to the scope of a project.
• Develop and agree project budgets.
  

Maths & English

This apprenticeship requires learners to achieve maths and English at Level 2. Typically, it is realistic for learners to progress up one level during the apprenticeship. At interview, we will carry out an assessment to determine current literacy and numeracy levels. We will take account of any support needs in determining the suitability of learners for this apprenticeship.

What are my career options?

Dependent upon the size of the organisation and the complexity of the project, associate project managers’ job titles will vary, but typically they can include: assistant project manager, junior project manager, project team leader. Some organisations use ‘project manager’ as a generic job title.