Advice: Project Management Training

[SheWhoLivesHere]

I work for a very niche company- we are the only people in the country doing what we do (sort of digital industry). I am head of my department, and amongst other things I manage my department's projects.

I am looking for a new job in Project Management, however I have no formal PM qualifications. I have over 4 year's of experience managing projects and know my skills are transferable, but couple my lack of qualification with the fact that my job is so niche, I'm worried that I'm being overlooked at the sifting process.

Is there anybody here who can advice on which qualification is most desired in the job market? I see Prince2 and Agile as being the most popular- is one better than the other? Is Prince2 a bit old hat now? Is Agile recognised outside of the digital industries? Or is there a new one coming in that I can jump on and be ahead of the competition?

Any advice would be very welcomed. I really want a new job!

[daisychain01]

You've got 2 separate approaches there

PRINCE2 is a 'good practice' methodology. Very rigorous and widely used in government and regulated industries.

Agile is an approach to software development, rather than a method of managing projects. Agile differs from Waterfall in that it is quicker to develop the software, validate with the customer and roll out in iterative releases, whereas Watrfall needs the requirements signed off before development starts.

I wouldn't say PRINCE2 is old hat, its still a widely respected accreditation, the alternative is PMP / PMI Project Management Professional. PMI has a good website, as the PM Institute supporting PMs.

It is worth taking a PM accreditation but you need to decide if you are willing to spend the money. Otherwise could your organisation sponsor you even if you did a 50/50?

[PookieDo]

I'm doing a sponsored qualification via employer which is a PM Higher Apprenticeship (a level 4/foundation degree) is my understanding and I am really enjoying it

[KindraLamb]

The PMP is the gold standard of project management certification. Recognized and demanded by organizations worldwide

www.tomsitpro.com/articles/project-management-certifications,2-670.html

[SheWhoLivesHere]

Thank you this is really helpful. Unfortunately there's no way my company will pay for it so it will be self funded, but hopefully worth it in the long run.

[ImNotWhoYouThinkIAmOhNo]

Have you looked at CAPM? Link

[VimFuego101]

CAPM is just the lower level version of PMP.

[VimFuego101]

Hit send too soon. If you have 4 years worth of project experience, you should be able to cobble together a project log with enough hours to be eligible to sit the PMP exam, the CAPM is just for people who have limited PM experience.