5 In-demand Certifications for Project Managers in 2023 (And How To Achieve Them)

  • Project Management
  • Career Path
  • Certifications
  • Published by: André Hammer on Jan 25, 2023
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Project managers across industries play a defining role in the success of organizations by helping them achieve their goals. To put it in simple words - they keep teams productive and efficient so that work gets done within a set time and budget.

According to PMI, until 2027, companies would need to fill around 2.2 million new project-oriented positions annually. One of the reasons for this increased demand for highly skilled project managers is the standardization of project management practices around the world. This means the skills that project managers acquire to earn certifications can be used in any industry, located anywhere in the world.

With a project management certification, you can demonstrate that you have the skills necessary to plan, organize, finance, carry out, deliver, and report on IT initiatives. No wonder, companies are happy to pay project managers up to 22% higher median salary as compared to project managers who don’t have a certification.

Now, if you’re a project manager who is looking to switch gears and take your career to the next level by earning a certification in project management, you have many options to choose from. How do you know which one is right for you, and how do you make sure you don’t waste time and money on the wrong certification?

Fret not. In this article, we have listed the most sought-after project management certifications that can aid in developing your talents and provide the necessary boost to your career to the next level.


Why get a Certification in Project Management

A project management certification test verifies a person's project management expertise, knowledge, and abilities. The majority of the time, issuing organizations provide applicants with complementary training or educational programs to help them get ready for the exam.

For admittance into their programs, certain organizations, like the Project Management Institute (PMI), may require that you have a bachelor's degree, months of project management experience, or even another project management certification.

You can enhance your career by completing these training programs, earning a project management certification, and keeping up with the most recent technological developments. It can provide you with an opportunity to earn more money as a project manager.

Certifications in project management can be important for a number of reasons.

First, obtaining a certification demonstrates to potential employers and clients that you have a certain level of knowledge and expertise in the field. This can help you stand out in a competitive job market and increase your opportunities for advancement.

Second, certifications can help you stay current with the latest best practices and techniques in project management. Many certification programs require continuing education in order to maintain the certification, which can help you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.

Finally, certifications can also help you build a professional network by connecting you with other certified professionals. This can be valuable for finding mentors, staying informed about job openings, and staying engaged with the project management community.

Top 5 project management certifications of 2023

To start with, you must understand that there is no one-size-fits-all project management certification before you make a decision. The best option can rely on your specific requirements. For instance, a program manager and a project manager require various project management training, skills, and abilities.

These five top certifications can help you enhance your soft skills, which will raise your worth whether you want to become an IT project manager or simply wish to add project management to your list of soft skills.


1) PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)

The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to demonstrate a level of knowledge and experience in the field of project management and is widely recognized as the gold standard in the industry.

To be eligible for the PMP, candidates must have a certain level of education and professional experience in project management. Specifically, candidates must have the following:

  • A secondary degree (high school diploma, associate's degree, or the global equivalent)
  • At least 5 years of project management experience
  • At least 7,500 hours leading and directing projects
  • 35 hours of project management education

Who is this for?

The PMI certification is intended to jumpstart the career of program managers across a variety of sectors since it was created by project professionals for the project professionals. The following are the specific areas of concentration for this management certification:

  • Business environment: The relationship between organizational strategy and projects
  • Process: Elements of technology to take into account while managing projects
  • People: Managing project teams requires soft skills

The PMP certification confirms that you possess the project leadership abilities demanded by businesses, particularly when it comes to agile, hybrid, and predictive methodologies.

Cost

For those who are not PMI members, the course costs $555. You may get your education for $405 less if you are currently a member.

Certificate Validity

For PMI certifications, candidates must accumulate a minimum number of "PDUs" during a three-year period. You'll require 60 PDUs to keep your PMP certification up to date and in good standing.

Readynez’s PMP certification course

For all project management professionals, PMP® certification is a must! And if you’re serious about getting certified, you should consider learning from specialists by enrolling in Readynez's PMP training course. It incorporates the best practices outlined in the 7th Edition of the PMBOK Guide and is linked with the most recent PMP Examination Content Outline.

The course consists of pre-reading, instructor-led training, all course material, and a certification guarantee. Your course materials are created to maximize learning and convenience. You will be meticulously prepared by your qualified instructor for the certification and exam that follow.


2) Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed for professionals who are new to project management or who are looking to enter the field.

To be eligible for the CAPM, candidates must have the following:

  • A secondary degree (high school diploma, associate's degree, or the global equivalent)
  • At least 1,500 hours of experience working on a project team.
  • Alternatively, candidates can substitute 23 hours of project management education for the experience requirement.

Who is this for?

  • The Certified Associate in Project Management is developed for project managers who want to demonstrate their proficiency in leading agile and complicated projects. It can help you stand out from other job applicants in your industry.
  • The course validates your understanding of the industry benchmark for project management efficiency.
  • The CAPM is suitable for you if you're seeking chances to take on more responsibility, manage bigger projects, or just want to highlight your project management expertise on your CV.

Cost

This course is accessible to PMI members for $225 less. Consequently, the total cost will be $300.

Certificate Validity

The PMI requires CAPM holders to accrue 15 PDUs (Professional development units) every three years in order to maintain their certification.


3) PRINCE2 Practitioner

PRINCE2 is a project management method that focuses on business justification, a defined organization structure for the project management team, a product-based planning approach, and an emphasis on dividing the project into manageable and controllable stages. The PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification is designed for practitioners who will be responsible for applying the PRINCE2 method to the running and management of a project within an environment supporting PRINCE2.

Eligibility

There are no formal prerequisites for taking the PRINCE2 Practitioner examination.

  • However, it is recommended that individuals have at least two years of project management experience and have completed the PRINCE2 Foundation qualification or have an equivalent level of knowledge.
  • It is also recommended that candidates have a good understanding of the principles and terminology of the PRINCE2 method before attempting the Practitioner examination. This can be achieved through completing a PRINCE2 training course along with the Readynez course for PRINCE2 Practitioners in order to gain practical experience applying the method on real projects.

Who is this for?

The APM certificate can underline your understanding of project management principles on a basic level and is an entry-level learning opportunity for newcomers to the sector. You don't need to have any prior project management experience to get started.

The target audience for this course is project team members and managers, as well as graduate and undergraduate students interested in a career in project management.

Cost

Although the course may be accessed for $70, that price does not include an e-voucher for the certification exam. You must pay $175 to have access to the course and the test.

Certificate Validity

This course has no expiration date because it simply covers the fundamentals of project management. You might occasionally need to think about upgrading your expertise, though.


4) Associate in Project Management (APM)

The Associate in Project Management (APM) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Project and Program Management (IAPPM). The APM is designed for individuals who are new to project management or who have limited experience in the field. It is intended to provide a foundation in project management concepts and practices and to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to be effective project team members.

To be eligible for the APM certification, an individual must meet the following requirements:

  • A high school diploma or equivalent
  • A minimum of one year of professional experience in project management or a related field
  • A minimum of 20 contact hours of project management education

The APM exam is a multiple-choice test that covers the following areas:

  • Project management basics
  • Planning and organizing a project
  • Managing resources and stakeholders
  • Monitoring and controlling a project
  • Closing a project

Earning the APM credential is a way for individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of project management concepts and practices. It can also help them advance their careers and increase their earning potential.

Who is this for?

The APM certificate will emphasize your understanding of project management principles on a basic level and is an entry-level learning opportunity for newcomers to the sector. You don't need to have any prior project management experience to get started.

The target audience for this course is project team members and managers, as well as graduate and undergraduate students interested in a career in project management.

Cost

Although the course may be accessed for $70, that price does not include an e-voucher for the certification exam. You must pay $175 to have access to the course and the test.

Certificate Validity

This course has no expiration date because it only covers the fundamentals of project management. You might occasionally need to think about upgrading your expertise, though.


5) Certified Project Manager (IAPM)

The International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) is a professional association that offers certification for project managers. The Certified Project Manager (CPM) credential is a globally recognized qualification that demonstrates a project manager's knowledge, skills, and experience in the field of project management. To earn the CPM credential, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam.

To be eligible for the CPM certification, an individual must meet the following requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution
  • A minimum of three years of professional experience in project management
  • A minimum of 35 contact hours of project management education

The CPM exam is a multiple-choice test that covers the following areas:

  • Project management basics
  • Planning and organizing a project
  • Managing resources and stakeholders
  • Monitoring and controlling a project
  • Closing a project

Earning the CPM credential is a way for project managers to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the field of project management. It can also help them advance their careers and increase their earning potential.

Who is this for?

This IAPM certification examines newcomers without prior experience in the field's hard and soft project management skills. Your IAPM certification can also be used as the foundation for the certification of a Cert International Project Manager course.

The IAPM certification is a fantastic option if you want to learn about ideas like how to create project plans, manage cost breakdowns and budgets, and examine risk evaluation.

Cost

The actual cost of this certification may vary depending on your country of residence, ensuring that project managers from various backgrounds may obtain the necessary PM abilities. People in the US can consider paying $479.

Certificate Validity

The IAPM certification does not require revalidation and is regarded as a lifetime certificate.


Advantages of Project management certification

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a novice seeking to climb the ladder, there is a project management certification available for you that will help you grow in your job. These certifications are comparable to stepping stones that will help you perform better, be better, and seize opportunities you never possibly imagined.

The following are some specific justifications outlining the significance of project management qualifications.

Global acknowledgment

There are well-known organizations and online resources, such as the Project Management Institute (PMI), that strive to provide top-notch training and certifications to aspiring professionals. When you receive a certification from a reputable organization, you are qualified to present your abilities to businesses throughout the world.

Financial benefits

The substantial wage rise is another enticing argument in favour of acquiring a project management certification. According to PMI statistics, project managers with PMP certification can anticipate up to a 20% compensation rise over those without it. This suggests that a good project management certification may increase your income by 20%.

Enhanced opportunities

Gaining the respect of those in higher positions is made easier with a project management certification. As you acquire the necessary skill set, they are less hesitant to entrust you with lucrative projects. Additionally, obtaining a certification gives you the skills and expertise you need to obtain project management job roles at reputable organizations.

Improved project performance

Project management experts with certifications typically outperform those without any. A project manager who has earned certification in project management is well-versed in processes, including initiation, strategy, implementation, and completion, as well as risk management and the application of best project management practices.

A wise investment for the future

One should never undervalue the influence these certifications might have on your profession, especially because they are less expensive than other examinations or courses. The good part is that qualified professionals are safe even in difficult financial times.

When all these factors are considered,  a certification in project management does seem like a wise investment.


How can Readynez Help you with the Project Management Certifications?

Readynez offers both online and offline training for professionals seeking Project management certifications. With Project management training courses, talent recruiting, and development, we fill your digital skills gap. Our objective is to develop, acquire, and manage digital transformation skills.

We provide courses to help you get ready for various IT certification exams, including those for broader project management abilities and those for specialized technology platforms. With an emphasis on practical skills and real-world situations, we've developed the Readynez ‘Best Practice Model’ for learning and tailored training to help students pass their certification examinations via years of experience working with more than 1000 top firms worldwide.

Readynez aims to modernize how organizations approach skills development in order to make digital skills practical. We think those who are prepared for the future will own it. Readynez aims to develop Skills Solutions in order to streamline digital transformation.


Conclusion

 A project manager is aware of the fact that continuing his education is the greatest approach to maintaining his skill set. Nevertheless, your particular position, sector, and professional aspirations will determine if you can acquire the necessary skills and advance your career with a PMI certification. Having project management abilities may help you stand out as a candidate for jobs and as a successful leader at work.

As organizations switch to a continuous development strategy instead of four-year upgrade cycles, technology is continually changing the structure of employment responsibilities. As a result, it is now more challenging to discover, train, and manage the appropriate people and skills than it is to manage technology.

Readynez has developed a unique technique of learning in order to move learning objectives from intention to impact, which combines immersion and a very hands-on training approach. This method was developed through years of experience working with major companies worldwide. We carefully design our courses to assist aspirants in making the most of their chosen certification process and moving up the success ladder.

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