The skills gap for project managers is getting worse, according to research by APM for National Apprenticeship Week. Their survey showed that 1 in 8 project managers think that the gap between what employers want and the ability of employees to meet those expectations.
The survey also found that 1 in 7 project managers believe there aren’t enough skilled professionals in their industry.
Skilled professionals are in demand, especially those who can demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, communication, time management, risk management and leadership, according to the survey.
Certification can help, although work experience is also important to demonstrate that you can put your skills into practice.
If your goal this year is to put yourself ahead of the curve and get studying for a certification, then I’m here to help!
There is a dizzying array of courses out there to help you achieve project management qualifications, both for PMI® courses, PRINCE2® courses and more. Here are the ones I think are worth taking a look at.
Courses that support Project Management Professional (PMP) and other PMI certifications
If you’re looking to get PMI’s flagship certification of Project Management Professional (PMP), then there are plenty of classroom and virtual courses to choose from.
If you want an in-person class, check out what is on offer from your local PMI Chapter, as they often run cost-effective courses led by local professionals. If you want a remote, self-paced or virtual course, then I have a couple of recommendations for you to check out.
The PM PrepCast
Product: PM PrepCast, Agile PrepCast, Exam Simulators
Certification:
No round up of training courses to help you get through the PMI exams would be complete without a nod to Cornelius Fichtner. Creator of the PM PrepCast, which has helped thousands of students get through the
The products I’d call out as the ones I personally enjoyed using the most are:
The PrepCast itself: a self-paced video course that covers everything (and I mean everything) on the course outline for
Recommended
The PMP PrepCast Elite PLUS
This complete self-directed PMP Exam course is our top pick. The Elite PLUS bundle includes the PMP training course, the PMP Exam Simulator, The Formula Guide, and The StudyCoach Guidebook, giving students a PMP Study Plan to follow.
We’re pleased to be affiliates for The Project Management PrepCast #ad
The PMP exam simulator. This is a hugely valuable tool for preparing for the exam because it mirrors the environment you’ll see in a real exam. Given that you’ve now got about a minute to answer every question, you need to feel as confident and familiar with the online test-taking environment as you can. This will really help you prepare.
If you are shooting for the
You can read my full review of the PM PrepCast here.
BrainBOK
Product: BrainBOK
Certification:
BrainBOK is a
It’s also got built-in quizzes to help you brush up on your terms, flashcards and the all-important practice exams to get you ready to face the test for real.
I tried it and I’ve never seen anything like it. If you want to understand the ITTOs then this is a fully interactive tool that will definitely do the job. Perfect if you want to deep dive into the
Plus they have a free option with (very) limited features so that you can try before you buy. Check it out here.
Cost-effective training
BrainBOK PMP Training
Get BrainBOK’s comprehensive suite of PMP® exam prep tools, including a full training program, ITTO pack, flashcards, practice exams and a formula guide.
We are pleased to be an affiliate of BrainBOK #ad
Read my full review of BrainBOK here.
Brain Sensei
Product: Brain Sensei
Certification:
Brain Sensei is a PMP® Exam Prep Course, but it’s unlike other courses I’ve seen or taken because it is more interactive.
It’s online video-based training and it’s really well put together. There’s also a test, so you can assess your progress as you go.
It covers the People, Process and Business Environment domains and is fully updated for the latest exam. It also has a 100% pass guarantee, so if you are at all nervous about taking the exam, this should give you a bit more confidence.
They also offer a PMP Exam Simulator with plenty of questions so that you can practice what you have learned before you take the exam. Honestly, taking practice exams is the best way to feel ready for the test.
MPlaza PRINCE2® Training
This comprehensive Prince2® Training is led by Frank Turley and Nadar K. Rad, both considered experts in the field. It is accredited by PeopleCert/AXELOS, so you know that you can trust the training will help you pass the exam.
The course itself includes one year of access and the exam fee is included. It is fully aligned with the latest edition of PRINCE2 and it equivalent to a 7-day course (providing you with the 48 contact hours that you need to sit the exam).
They also offer the first 20 lessons for free, so you can try the training before you buy it. They offer a 30 day money back guarantee and their customer service is top-notch. I highly recommend them!
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you #ad
Google Project Management Certificate
The
Recommended
Google Project Management Certificate
5.0
A solid, professional, well-recognized project management course from a great training provider. Perfect for beginners and people interested in learning more about project management as a career.
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you #ad
I took this course and rate it highly for new professionals and people wanting to get comfortable with the
It’s also great for people who are doing project management alongside their main job, as it has plenty of tips and templates for formalizing what you do (which helps impress your managers!).
Read my full review of the Google PM certificate.
APM PMQ
Finally, if you are based in the UK or interested in getting a certification from the only Chartered professional body for project professionals, take a look at the Association for Project Management’s Project Management Qualification (PMQ).
It’s one of a series of certifications offered by the professional body, and it covers both soft/interpersonal/power skills and technical skills in a rigorous exam.
PMQ is a good choice for professionals who want to align their career development with industry standards and who might want to go on to become a Chartered Project Manager one day.
Look for a classroom-based course or a virtual online course near you, and make sure the training company is accredited by APM.
