Back in September 2011 we looked at the apprenticeship programme that had been put together by BAe Systems which showed how they were managing their project management talent pipeline for the future by creating programmes for school leavers to become their next generation project professionals. A vast amount of effort and investment had been used to provide a programme that lasts for five years – a combination of on-the-job training and academic study – in other words a modern apprenticeship. One of the main drivers for BAe was that they knew they would have problems resourcing projects in the future if they didn’t focus on growing their own talent. Take a look at the interview with the lead Project Manager for the scheme.
Now with the unemployment levels affecting the younger generation there is news from the Association for Project Management that could mean other organisations could take BAe’s lead with some assistance from a new Higher Apprenticeship in Project Management. The APM along with apprenticeship issuing authority CfA have recently won funding to develop the Higher Apprenticeship which should lead to 775 individuals having the opportunity to gain project management training and skills by 2016. The Apprenticeships are aimed at 16 year olds+ who are not in education and are paid a reduced wage whilst completing the apprenticeships (length varies depending on the apprenticeship undertaken)
To put the Higher Apprenticeship into context, the Apprenticeship website shows the three levels of apprenticeship available for roles within the IT sector:
Job Roles
Intermediate Level Apprenticeship
- Support Technician
- Website Administrator
- Helpdesk Professional
- Field Operations (Line installer & repairer)
Advanced Level Apprenticeship
- Software/ Web Developer
- Desktop Support Engineer
- Network Planner
- Database Administrator
- Network Engineer
- Software Tester
Higher Apprenticeship
- IT Project Manager
- Analyst Developer
- IT Service Manager
- IT Security Analyst
- Network/Telecoms Manager
The Higher Apprenticeship has entry requirements of A Levels, previous works experience or progression from the intermediate or advanced apprenticeships.
APM will develop a new qualification at minimum level 4 in the QCF which will be a fundamental element to the apprenticeship framework being developed by APM and CfA, and which will be delivered over a number of years in conjunction with employers including BT, Thales, Babcock International Group and Cheltenham Borough Council.
Looking at the current framework for Level 4 IT apprenticeships, apprentices must receive 1010 hours of training (700 on-the-job training and 310 off-the-job). Training includes specific modules picked by employers whilst on the job and external instructor led courses for off-the-job.
Modern apprenticeships take us one more step closer to project management becoming a career of choice and more importantly gets young blood into the profession when and where we need it the most. We look forward to seeing which employers take the initiative and see the potential of apprenticeships.
Image: By jimd2007 A bizarre photo choice I know but Mort from Discworld is my favourite Apprentice, read it if you haven’t already, he’s an apprentice to Death himself
