Employers guide to Apprenticeships

APM’s updated guide to apprenticeships provides employers with up-to-date information about the apprenticeship levy and apprenticeships more generally. It is also relevant to small business owners as it explains how to make the best use of the resources available from APM and trailblazer standards.

As more employers look to broaden the talent pool and apprenticeships increase in numbers within the project profession, this guidance document provides information about how to make the best use of apprenticeships as well as up-to-date information about the apprenticeship levy. 

Apprenticeships provide an accessible entry point for individuals considering a career in project management and a development pathway for those already in it; and companies of all sizes and disciplines can benefit from the Project Management Apprenticeships available. 

Associate Project Manager Apprenticeships are available with a wide range of employers in sectors from aerospace to rail and transport, and from construction to banking, insurance, and nuclear reprocessing to name just a few.

The Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship is typically completed over two years working as a project management apprentice with 20% ‘off-the-job’ training. Apprentices are coached and mentored to improve their project management skills in the workplace and training is provided by employers or private training providers including colleges and universities.

Central to apprenticeships in project management is the professional qualification the APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) which apprentices study as part of their programme. This qualification is a recognised mark of quality both in the UK and internationally. It is also part of a clear career pathway for apprentices to work towards achieving Chartered status, creating a talent pipeline of qualified and experienced project professionals.

“Historically apprenticeships have been an untapped resource across our industry but we hope this guide will help more employers to benefit from investing in training the next generation of project professionals.” John McGlynn, APM Chair commented. ”We need to ensure that project management becomes the career of first choice to meet the demands of today’s economy and society.”

APM was an early adopter of the government’s shift to employers designing new Trailblazer apprenticeships and has worked with a pan-sector group of major corporates, training companies and universities to develop the new Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship Standard which was launched in January 2017.

Apprentices in Scotland and Wales study for the EAL Level 4 Diploma in Project Management.