Returning to Project Management

[mellongoose]

I have recently been made redundant and have been job hunting but to no avail. 15 years ago, I was a fairly decent IT project manager but left it behind to move out of the city, had children and have had other positions since, based on relationship and account management and certainly not in IT!

I would like to venture back into project management and have about 20 years left before retirement. I never got the PRINCE2 cert at the time as was promoted internally, but we used the PRINCE2 principles and my direct manager had been trained.

Now I see that most, if not all, job ads for PM roles now need a certification. Is PRINCE2 still the one to get, or something else? Does anyone have a training delivery recommendation? Is there anything else I need to know in order to still be relevant 15 years on? It's quite intimidating, but rather than train in something totally new, I think re-training in something that I used to be quite good at might be easier! I'm 49, in case that is relevant.

Any advice gratefully received.

Hi I was a business PM until recently. The market is tough at the minute and you might be advised to speak to some recruiters about the best qualifications to go for, or indeed if it’s a realistic market to enter after such a long gap. Agile was certainly the buzzword methodology of the last few years and unfortunately it doesn’t include project managers, and the quasi replacement scrum masters aren’t so popular any more.
I know that good technical delivery and release managers are still sought after, if thats a possibility.

Thanks for your help. I will take a look into all of that. I am still seeing PM roles advertised, but they all ask for the formal qualification. Just wondering if PRINCE2 is still enough?

I read your post yesterday and meant to post! Sorry.

I've worked as a PM for over 20 years, 90% of the time as an Agile project manager or Scrum Master.
Only 10% in more traditional project management.
I'm currently a Project management trainer. I would advise an AgilePM qualification, any Agile course and possibly PMQ.
Most companies are either Agile or trying to be even the Council and government departments.

Thank you 🙏

I agree that Agile qualification is the way forward. PRINCE2 feels very old now and very few places seem to work in that way (although it is still often accepted as the qualification in roles).

Another vote for agile. Did you work in a specific sector? I agree still a market for technical or sector focused PMs.

I agree that Prince 2 is a bit old fashioned now although as you say it's still a valid qualification for PM jobs.
Agile PM is better and definitely the right thing to do if you're looking to get into IT/software PM.
I'm doing APM PMQ at the mo and am finding it a good balance of both (mostly 'trad' PM but with agile elements - I don't work in IT/software/startup).
When I was made redundant I paid for Prince 2 foundation from home (videos and a proper invigilated exam, it was £1000). Having that on my CV helped me get my next PM role.
Good luck! It is a tough market out there but there are jobs to be had.

Yes APM PMQ does make sense.

However before spending £1000 on a qualification, I would definitely speak to recruitment agents.
Market here is dire. I have been a PM for many years and got instant declines from jobs I was well qualified for based on my CV. For the rare scrum master vacancies they usually ask for at least 18 months experience.

I am not saying it’s impossible but after a 10 year gap from the role I think it’s going to be a challenge. Having said that a lot of the people offering online courses are likely to have a Black Friday discount so today would be the day to look.