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Progressing the project management professionPMSA recognises and supports various initiatives under way, both locally and globally, that are designed to progress the project management profession at a skills development, accreditation / certification, training and education level.
To this end, it represents its members on the Project Management Chamber of the Services Sector Education Training Authority (Services SETA), is an active participant in the Global Alliance for Project Performance Standards (GAPPS) and has its own programme for recognising the offerings of credible education and training providers in South Africa.
Fundamental skills development: PMSA and the Services SETA
Companies committed to developing their future project managers from the ranks of their workforce will want to capitalise on the Services SETA structures that develop project management qualifications on various National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels and afford them the opportunity to recoup skills development levies.
PMSA recognises that this approach contributes to growing a pool of project managers from a very basic level is a national imperative, and the professional association is thus represented on the Project Management Chamber of the Services SETA.
To date, the Project Management Chamber of the Services SETA has facilitated the development of project management qualifications that include the following:
* SAQA ID 50398 NQF Level 3 – National Certificate: Project Support Services;
* SAQA ID 58800 NQF Level 4 – Further Education and Training Certificate: Project Support Services;
* SAQA ID 50080 NQF Level 4 – FET Certificate in Project Management (136 credits);
* SAQA ID 58395 NQF Level 5 – National Certificate in Project Management (120 credits); and
* SAQA ID 58309 NQF Level 5 – National Diploma in Project Management
(247 credits).
An opportunity exists for companies and individuals to apply for bursaries, internships and learnerships in any of the above qualifications by completing and submitting the relevant applications (these forms and more information available on the Services SETA website: www.serviceseta.org.za).
Each qualification has been broken into shorter skills programmes to allow companies to offer their trainees part qualifications / partial credits towards a qualification at a lower cost and time investment than what is required for the full qualifications.
Identifying global PM competencies: PMSA and GAPPS
The purpose of the GAPPS initiative is to develop agreed frameworks as a basis for review, development, and recognition of local standards that will facilitate mutual recognition and transferability of project management qualifications.
It is intended that the framework and associated standards be freely available for use by businesses, academic institutions, professional associations, and government standards and qualifications bodies globally.
As project management has become a more widely used management approach, both public and private sector entities have become interested in standards that describe levels of acceptable workplace performance.
Many of these entities operate across national boundaries and are thus interested in standards and qualifications that are transferable.
Governments, concerned with ensuring an internationally competitive workforce and individuals desiring greater mobility, are also interested in the mutual recognition and transferability of qualifications.
At present, over 19 global representatives are involved in accepting and introducing GAPPS competence standards to project managers.
Such companies as Shell International, Motorola and various project management associations, for example PMSA, Greater-China Project Management Association, American Society PM, Project Management Association Japan, IPMA, APM Group UK and others, have lent their support to this initiative.
To date, the following GAPPS project management competency standards have been developed:
* PM01 Manage Stakeholder Relationships;
* PM02 Manage Development of the Plan for the Project;
* PM03 Manage Project Progress;
* PM04 Manage Product Acceptance;
* PM05 Manage Project Transitions; and
* PM06 Evaluate and Improve Project Performance.
Visit the GAPPS website for updates on the latest available standards. Go to www.globalpmstandards.org.
Recognising quality local education and training: PMSA’s R.E.T.P. Programme
The PMSA Registered Education and Training Provider (R.E.T.P.) Programme is designed to assist people looking to pursue a training course or academic programme in project management to make their selection wisely from the many on offer. Educators and trainers offering project management courses approach PMSA for their stamp of approval, and listing as a PMSA R.E.T.P.
After reviewing the provider’s offerings against specific criteria, PMSA will award successful applicants R.E.T.P. status. The evaluation criteria include adherence to specific requirements in terms of their:
* programme content;
* programme purpose;
* instructional methodology;
* programme attendance;
* programme feedback & evaluation;
* instructor qualifications;
* instructional environment; and
* operational ethics.
The R.E.T.P. Programme is not just applicable to tertiary institutions and industry training providers. Training departments within corporations or government departments that only offer appropriate educational programmes to their own employees are also encouraged to become a R.E.T.P.
Education and training providers who wish to know more about the R.E.T.P. programme are invited to contact PMSA at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Those looking to further their education or training in project management can visit the PMSA website (www.pmisa.org.za) and follow the ‘education’ links for a directory of registered providers, or look for the PMSA stamp of approval before making your selection.
