The APM Scottish Conference 2018 sponsored by HPS highlighted the importance of powering the pipeline for project management. In an environment where businesses will need far-reaching change to survive, the focus has to be how to get the right people with the right skills to project managing the complex projects of the future?

Raising awareness of project management as a profession and demonstrating the diverse opportunities on offer throughout the world and across every sector of industry is vital. Caspar Bartington, APM’s education manager spoke about work with organisations including Lloyds Bank and BAE Systems to paint a picture of what it’s like to work in leading projects as a young apprentice or graduate. There are also new routes into the profession including the Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship on the horizon.

Dr Helen Wright suggests that as a profession Project Managers need to do more that offers routes if they need to inspire the next generation too.  “How do you build the pipeline? You have to delve right down to help people find ways of understanding and how they access the profession” she said. And we need to ensure the conditions are right said Sara Drake, APM’s chief executive, Millennials represent 35% of the UK workforce. By 2020 it will be 50% of the UK workforce. “There is clear evidence from other professions that chartered status can act as a beacon to attract new talent into our profession – both younger entrants and those from other sectors or returners to work.” She said.

While it is clear the visibility of the profession is increasing and the demand will grow, the day highlighted that simply attracting new project professionals to the pipeline wasn’t enough. They need the confidence and resilience to perform at a world-class level in projects that are the most complex ever seen.

HPS are delighted to support APM to do all they can to keep building this pipeline the next APM Conference supported by Hyde Park Solutions sist the APM Project Management Conference on Wednesday 25 April at Central Hall Westminster. Book now