Overview

This occupation is found in small, medium, and large organisations within the public, private and third sectors. Associate project managers work in all sectors such as government, retail, food and drink, infrastructure, education, charities, research, and banking. The working environment can vary from being in an office, on site, at client, and contactor’s locations and working remotely.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to contribute to the successful delivery of a project, ensuring its scope and benefits are achieved as planned. They do this primarily by identifying, resourcing, scheduling, and monitoring the activities that need to happen in a certain sequence and timescale. They monitor the project objectives and milestones and adjust plans in accordance with evolving circumstances.

Associate project managers are key to enabling organisations meet their business goals by successful project delivery. Projects can be large or small and deliver a required product that either creates something new or improves efficiency and effectiveness, such as designing and constructing a new motorway or implementing a new IT system. Projects are diverse in nature and could involve anything from banking through to construction. Many organisations deliver their own projects, using in-house associate project managers to work on scope they might be already familiar with. Some associate project manager’s work on a contract basis or for specialist organisations that deliver outsourced project work on behalf of clients.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of internal stakeholders including members of their own team and other departments such as IT, legal, finance, strategy, HR, operations, commercial, marketing, sustainability, senior management, and governing decision-making bodies. They also interact with a range of external stakeholders such as members of the public, investors, customers, regulators, suppliers, auditors, and partners. They will typically report to the Project Manager who ensures the delivery of the project scope.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for identifying, defining, and delivering some or all the aspects of a projects lifecycle within the limits set by the project manager. Associate project managers work on their own and in a range of team settings.

They may contribute to the drafting of business cases that justify why a project is required. They will collaborate with stakeholders to negotiate and allocate project activities to members of the integrated project team.

The Associate project manager will be monitoring progress using relevant project tools and techniques and is also responsible for quality assuring work to completion. They will report on progress and adapt plans as needed.

They will apply codes of practice, legislation, and regulation in respect of the organisation’s areas of operation. This will apply not only to legal and ethical responsibilities but will include the central placement of inclusion and sustainability. Associate project managers manage conflicting project and current political objectives such as net carbon zero, and risk management to influence successful outcomes.

They work within agreed budgets and available resources, and work without high levels of supervision, usually reporting to the project manager. They may occasionally be responsible for decision making, but more often will guide or influence the decisions of others.

They must also escalate project issues beyond the scope of their role or when they identify significant project risks and issues.

They analyse and incorporate lessons learned into future project management and to keep their project skills up to date.

They contribute to overall project aims in line with customer requirements.

They will understand how their role supports the wider organisation and project structure.

Foundation Apprenticeship Assessment

Each assessment organisation is responsible for designing its own assessments in line with the apprenticeship standard. The Academy for Project Management has developed an assessment model that allows apprentices to demonstrate competence against the required assessment outcomes. Comprehensive guidance and resources are provided to support both apprentices and training providers.

The assessment for the Associate Project Manager includes:

• At least one project

And the choice of a:

• Demonstration
• Presentation
• Interview
• Professional discussion
• Question and answer
• Portfolio
• Written assessment
• Additional project

The standard also includes Employability Skills and Behaviours (EBs), which must be demonstrated consistently by the apprentice throughout the programme. Employers are required to formally confirm this before completion.

Assessment Timing

Components of the assessment may be scheduled at appropriate points during the apprenticeship. The Academy for Project Management works closely with training providers to ensure assessments are timed effectively, allowing apprentices to demonstrate their skills and knowledge at key stages in their development.

Additional information on the apprenticeship standard and the assessment process can be viewed here.

Becoming a Centre

Training providers interested in delivering elements of the assessment internally can explore the Centre model with us. Guidance is available on how the model operates and the steps required to become an approved Centre. For more information, please contact administration@academy4pm.com