Project Management Courses

Project Management: Overview

Project Management is the process of planning, organising, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. The primary challenge of project management is to achieve all of the project goals and objectives while baring to classic project constraints which are usually scope, quality, time and budget.The secondary and more ambitious challenge is to optimize the allocation and integration of inputs necessary to meet pre-defined objectives. A project is a carefully defined set of activities that use resources (money, people, materials, energy, space, provisions, communication, motivation etc.) to achieve the project goals and objectives.

Expected Salary

Range of typical starting salaries: £19,600 - £29,000

Range of typical salaries in first management roles within the public sector: £24,000 - £40,000

Typical salary at senior level/with experience (e.g. after 10-15 years in the role): £50,000 +

Average Starting Salaries by Location:

£20,000 to £25,000 for jobs outside London

£22,000 to £35,000 in London

£35,000 to 50,000+ once further experience and training has been acquired.

Training

Government-led training schemes are organised for most local councils and authorities however patterns of development and training will vary between each region. Most training programmes in the public sector are designed for particular groups of people such as:

• Graduate training schemes
• Management trainee schemes
• Specific trainee schemes, e.g. for professions such as law or accountancy social welfare and community

Membership of professional bodies will enable to keep up to date with the new training and changes made within the industry. Training in a specific area relevant to the job will often provide the basis for membership of a professional group. Further information on qualifications and training are listed on Underoak Website

Underoak lists many short courses to aid you in your career progression. These may be funded individually or through your company (please check the prices with the trainer, as sometimes they often offer a lower price for self funded training). To search these courses, simply type the relevant key words and click on ‘request further information’ to send your enquiry direct to the trainer.

Other soft skills may be useful, such as assertiveness or customer service, first aid and health and safety.

Related Careers

As mentioned above, people tend to train in employment in administration, allowing a large window of opportunity to advance in your career, with the right training and development.

Although this is not a particularly competitive sector, IT skills are always in high demand, and may allow you to work in a more desirable department.

Further career options:

• Arts Administrator
• Barrister’s Clerk
• Bilingual Secretary
• Clerical Assistant
• Company Secretary
• Diplomatic Service
• Education Administrator
• Human Resources Officer
• Office Manager
• Personal Assistant
• Press Officer
• Verbatim Reporter

Useful Links

Core Skills

Specific skills which you may develop from doing an Administrative/Secretarial or finance courses include:

• Knowledge and awareness of business organisations: how they operate and are managed, enhancing your commercial awareness, particularly if the course includes a work placement
• Understanding the technical language and practices of accounting and finance, and contemporary theories concerning the practice of financial industries
• Numerical and quantitative skills - developed from understanding, recording and evaluating figures within a business context
• Problem-solving and analytical ability - developed from the numerical aspect of your course and from exercises or project work where you may have to evaluate a business case study and present possible solutions
• Oral and written communication skills - from producing reports and assignments on business issues and delivering presentations (working on group topics and discussing business problems should enhance your ability to argue your case and negotiate with others)
• Knowledge of global business issues, and competence in languages - if you specialise in European or international finance
• Entrepreneurship - if your course includes mock exercises in planning or setting up businesses

Job Sites

Average working hours per week

Job Description

Education Administrator

The Role
Education administrators organise and manage the administration, support systems and activities of an education institution. Most are based in higher or further education (HE or FE), with more opportunities arising in schools and private colleges.

Tasks may include:

• Servicing committees
• Assisting with recruitment, public relations and marketing activities
• Administering Student life – admission to Graduation
• Administrative support to lecturers, tutors and teachers
• Dealing with queries and complaints procedures
• Coordinating examination and assessment processes
• Course evaluation and course approval procedures
• Preparing reports and statistics
• Developing future information systems
• Contributing to policy and planning
• Managing budgets
• Purchasing goods and equipment
• Supervising staff
• Organising and facilitating a variety of educational or social activities

Salary:
£18,000 – £26,000 dependent upon sector and location

Experience:
You will be expected to be trained to degree level if working in administration for the educational department. However, this does not necessarily need to be a degree in a related field.

For some roles, office experience may be essential. For senior grades, a minimum of three years' experience in an administrative capacity is usually required. At all levels, previous experience in public sector administration may increase your chances. A short course will add to your skills and show dedication to the industry.

Career Development

There are many opportunities to develop your career. You may wish to specialise in one industry, such as legal or medical secretarial work, or become a personal assistant to a company director or other senior manager. Alternatively, you could choose to use your organisational skills as an office manager.

There are some opportunities to move up via internal vacancies. These are most commonly in the Charity of Property sectors. However, it’ may not be the best journey to success,  as it can also hold you back form moving ‘up the ladder’ because of a discrimination against the job title.

Membership of a professional body in the area that you are looking to move into can also help you make the transition and show that you are serious about a career in that area.