New skills for project managers
21 June 2017
A new Project Management apprenticeship has been launched by the Skills Company to help boost growing businesses across Greater Manchester.
Developed by industry for industry, the highly practical course has been designed to help businesses looking for skilled people to manage rapid periods of growth or change within their organisation.
Lasting between 18-24 months, and delivered through a mixture of classroom sessions, online learning and regular one-to-one sessions, the apprenticeship is suitable for many different sectors and helps develop skills in budgeting, planning, leadership and management and communication.
Leading to Level 4 standard*, the apprenticeship can be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or co-investment funding.
The new Apprenticeship Levy came into force earlier this year and requires businesses with a wage bill of over £3m to pay 0.5% of their payroll as a levy to train and upskill their own staff and fund new apprentices.
Linked to this, co-investment funding represents another change to the system. Now, if a non-levy paying company wants to train someone to complete a higher qualification, they only have to pay 10% of the cost. This can represent a real deal breaker for SMEs because often training staff to these higher levels, such as degrees and masters, can cost £1000s.
The Skills Company, part of Manchester Growth Company, is one the largest providers of apprenticeships and traineeships in Greater Manchester and also specialises in delivering business training.
Jayne Worthington, managing director of the Skills Company explains: “Following changes to the way in which they are administered and funded, apprenticeships are enjoying a real surge in popularity.
“The new Project Management apprenticeship is a great way for businesses to develop the expertise they need in-house, and upskill their own staff. That’s great for the employer, because they can invest in someone who’s already established within the business, and great for employees too, as they get to develop their potential.”
The apprenticeship has also received the stamp of approval from the Association of Project Management. Applications are now open for the first course, which begins in July. To reserve your place, please contact our enquiries team on 0161 359 3050 or email info@businessgrowthhub.com.
*Equivalent to a Prince2 Practitioner qualification