Reading, UK – 15 September 2011 Parallel Project Training today announces it is now approved by Project Management Institute to become a PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) effective 1^st September 2011.

PMI R.E.P.s are educational organizations that have demonstrated that they are capable of providing world-class effective project management training.  Through PMI’s rigorous quality criteria for course content, instructor qualification, and instructional design, R.E.P.s provide the project management training necessary to earn and to maintain Project Management Professional (PMP)^®, Program Management Professional (PgMP)^® and other PMI professional credentials.

Parallel Project Training offers a flexible approach to project management training to meet the demands of corporate and individual clients. They deliver courses using an innovative combination of traditional classroom study, e-learning, podcasts and workshops and employ active learning techniques such as process mapping and buzz groups. All courses aim to develop an in-depth understanding of the PMI Body of Knowledge and also a wider appreciation of project management principles leading to PMI professional credentials.

As John Bolton, Programmes Director at Parallel Project Training, commented, “Our range of learning options combined with realistic case studies ensures project managers gain a thorough understanding of the PMI approach and, consequently, how to improve project management processes within their own organizations. Our new PMI R.E.P. status is international recognition of the high quality of training we provide.”

“PMI’s recent survey of training providers shows that 80 percent of organizations seeking suppliers of project management training strongly prefer to work with PMI R.E.P.s. They view their affiliation with PMI, as the leading standard-setting professional association for project management, as a stamp of quality on the training services they purchase,” said Edwin Andrews, Ph.D., director of academic and educational programs and services at PMI. “Organizations want to protect their investment in project management training, and they know that a PMI R.E.P. delivers such training in a cost-effective and efficient manner.”

Currently, there are over 1,400 R.E.P.s in more than 70 countries. These organizations include commercial training providers that design complete educational systems, academic institutions, internal training offices at corporations and government agencies.

About Parallel Project Training

Parallel Project Training was formed in October 2009 by John Bolton and Paul Naybour and is supported by a pool of associates, advisers and consultants. Paul’s background is in the management of rail and infrastructure projects, leading major training programmes for many of the key players in the rail and transportation sector.  In addition to rail experience, John has a strong pedigree in major programmes in the software and services sectors along with significant involvement in the management and development of professional project managers. Both are very highly experienced project management professionals, each having over ten years experience as project management development professionals.  Parallel Project Training is based in Reading, UK and offers a highly innovative approach to project management training. Courses include PMP Certification, planning, risk management, estimating, and project leadership and lead to internationally recognized PMI credentials. Parallel offers exceptional value for money with their innovative approach to efficiency and reducing impact on the environment – offering more for less.

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

PMI is the world’s largest project management member association, representing more than half a million practitioners in more than 185 countries. As a global thought leader and knowledge resource, PMI advances the profession through its global standards and credentials, collaborative chapters and virtual communities and academic research. When organizations invest in project management supported by PMI, executives have confidence their important initiatives will deliver expected results, greater business value and competitive advantage. Learn more at www.pmi.org

- Parallel Project Training launches new PMP Certification courses designed to recognise the skills and qualifications of experienced project managers –

Reading, UK. 27 July 2011: Not-for-profit association the Project Management Institute (PMI) is aimed at promoting the project management profession worldwide with internationally-recognised standards and credentials. Their PMP Certification is designed for experienced project managers who are looking for industry recognition of their experience, qualifications and competence to deliver projects. Training courses for this certification, which is increasingly in demand by employers, are now available in the UK by specialist training provider Parallel Project Training. According to a PMI Salary Survey of 35,000 project managers in 19 countries, obtaining this credential leads to salaries up to 10% higher than those of other project managers.

To meet this increasing demand by employers and project managers, 5-day PMP training courses have recently been launched in London and Reading. These courses aim to develop an in-depth understanding of the PMI Body of Knowledge and also a wider understanding of project management principles. They also prepare candidates for the format and style of the PMP exam by providing the opportunity to answer practise exam questions.

The PMI has specific pre-requisites for obtaining PMP Certification based on the candidate’s level of academic qualifications plus their level of practical project management experience. Between 3 and 5 years of experience leading and directing projects is necessary, depending on other qualifications. A project manager is also required to have at least 35 hours of specific project management education, which is provided by the new PMP Certification course from Parallel Project Training.

As John Bolton, Programmes Director of Parallel Project Training, commented, “As PMI research has shown, the PMP Certification can significantly increase the marketability of a project manager and also their earning potential. Here at Parallel, our project management courses use active learning techniques, such as process mapping and buzz groups, and realistic case studies to ensure project managers gain a thorough understanding of the PMI approach. This gives them the best chance of achieving exam success and consequently bringing improvements to project management within their own organisations.”

APM are pleased to announce that Tim Banfield, a director at the National Audit Office (NAO), will be in the speaker line-up at the APM Conference 2011 on 20^th October along with Simon Henley and Sue Pritchard. These three key industry figures will be joining Ian Watmore, Chief Operating Officer for the new Efficiency and Reform Group, and Jeremy Beeton, Director General of the Government Olympic Executive, at the new world, new project management themed conference.

Tim Banfield, speaking in the ‘working with business’ stream at the conference, joined the NAO in 1988 having previously worked in local government and was appointed director in February 1999. Tim has specialised in the examination of defence acquisition issues for almost 25 years and has led or contributed to the production of over 70 published reports. Tim has also been responsible for NAO’s work on the Millennium Dome and foreign affairs. In 2009, Tim also assumed responsibility for setting up the pan-Office Cost Effective Delivery Theme, with a particular emphasis on project, programme and portfolio delivery.

Passing on his wealth of knowledge and experience in the ‘professionalism’ stream is Simon Henley, president of Europrop International (EPI), who has responsibility to EPI’s four shareholding companies of ITP, MTU Aero Engines, Rolls-Royce, and SNECMA, the four leading engine manufacturers in Europe. EPI is responsible for delivering the TP400 engine to its customer Airbus Military. Prior to joining Europrop, Simon was programme director for New Products and helicopter engines in Rolls-Royce’s defence sector, accountable for the delivery of a range of new propulsion products for Rolls-Royce.

Sue Pritchard, an associate in Ashridge Consulting and leading the Complex Projects Action Research Consortium, will be perfectly placed as a speaker in the ‘change management’ stream
at the key calendar date for the profession. Sue specialises in developing leadership and change capability in complex social systems, with people, organisations and communities. A leadership and change consultant for over twenty years, Sue has worked with public, private and not-for-profit organisations in the UK and internationally, coaching top teams and assisting partnerships to work more effectively across boundaries.

Dayner Proudfoot, PR & Marketing Manager at APM, said: “Having Tim, Simon and Sue confirm so early as speakers simply illustrates the high regard the profession has for the APM Conference. They will be joined by more of the industry’s most senior and influential professionals as APM will be announcing more speakers soon.”

Book your place at the APM Conference before the 31^st July to take advantage of their special discounted rates and save up to £90, simply visit www.apm.org.uk/conference.

The APM Conference 2011 is now open for bookings, so if you are quick and book your place by the 31^st July you could save up to £90 off the full ticket price*. There are special discounted rates for both APM members and non members, so everyone has the opportunity to see some of the best speakers from the profession.

This event is not to be missed as it is the industry’s key calendar date with a long-held reputation for attracting the country’s most senior and influential speakers and more than a half a decade of agenda setting content featuring the country’s most innovative and groundbreaking projects.

The theme for the conference is New world, new project management, which looks at how the profession will rise to the challenges resulting from climate change, technological advances, globalisation, social networks, public health, security and economic regeneration. These challenges require fundamentally new ways of making sense and shaping a world we can neither fully control, nor fully understand.

Professor Darren Dalcher, Director of the National Centre for Project Management, will be chairing the conference that issues a ‘call to action’ to address the challenges of the new world by defining a new kind of project management.

The first speakers for the conference have also been announced with Chief Operating Officer for the new Efficiency and Reform Group, Ian Watmore, taking the conference platform. Ian will be joined by Jeremy Beeton, Director General of the Government Olympic Executive, which is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. More speakers are still to be announced, so please visit APM’s news page to see the latest.

For a full list of prices and to book your place simply visit the APM website. If you would like to make a corporate or group booking, please contact Vicki Orbell on: 01908 398390. Alternatively please contact the APM business development team on: 01844 271 682.

*All prices are exclusive of VAT. Early bird rate available until 31st July 2011.

END

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About the Association for Project Management (APM)

Founded in 1972, the Association for Project Management has been at the forefront of the development of project, programme and portfolio management for over 35 years. The APM is a registered charity with over 18,000 individual and 500 corporate members making it the largest professional body of its kind in Europe. As part of its strategy to raise awareness and standards in the profession it is currently in the process of applying for a Royal Charter.

APM’s mission statement is: “To develop and promote the professional disciplines of project and programme management for the public benefit.”

The APM is dedicated to the development of professional project, programme and portfolio management across all sectors of industry and beyond. APM is committed to developing the profession through its three strategic themes:

1. Development and maintenance of standards and knowledge.
2. The promotion and application of those standards and knowledge.
3. Development and maintenance of the APM infrastructure.

Contact:

Dayner Proudfoot

PR & Marketing Manager
Tel: 01844 271 632

Fax: 0845 458 8807

Email: dayner.proudfoot@apm.org.uk

Web: www.apm.org.uk

Association for Project Management, Ibis House, Regent Park, Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9LE

APM have announced that the Project Management Awards ceremony on 20th October (bookings are now being taken) will be hosted by TV presenter Angela Rippon, who has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for over 40 years. The career of this award-winning journalist has embraced an impressive variety of programmes on both radio and television for both commercial and BBC stations in Britain, America and Australia.

The scope and quality of her work has been recognised by the Royal Television Society who entered her into their Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2002 she was voted European Woman of Achievement and in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2004 she was awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to broadcasting, charity and the arts.

She currently presents Rip-Off Britain, Rippon’s Britain on The One Show and Cash in the Attic all for BBC1. Angela also travelled to Kenya for Comic Relief and was part of the Famous, Rich and in the Slums BBC1 series.

Angela will follow Bill Turnball, Adrian Chiles and Andrew Castle in hosting the most prestigious event in the profession’s calendar.

Over the last 16 years, the APM Project Management Awards has been celebrating achievement in project management by recognising excellence. The spectacular London setting of ‘The Brewery’ makes for an entertaining evening of celebration, so to ensure you are a part of the best night of the year, book your place today.

For a full list of prices and to book your place simply visit the APM website or alternatively call 0845 458 1944 with your details.

END

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About the Association for Project Management (APM)

Founded in 1972, the Association for Project Management has been at the forefront of the development of project, programme and portfolio management for over 35 years. The APM is a registered charity with over 18,000 individual and 500 corporate members making it the largest professional body of its kind in Europe. As part of its strategy to raise awareness and standards in the profession it is currently in the process of applying for a Royal Charter.

APM’s mission statement is: “To develop and promote the professional disciplines of project and programme management for the public benefit.”

The APM is dedicated to the development of professional project, programme and portfolio management across all sectors of industry and beyond. APM is committed to developing the profession through its three strategic themes:

1. Development and maintenance of standards and knowledge.
2. The promotion and application of those standards and knowledge.
3. Development and maintenance of the APM infrastructure.

Contact:

Dayner Proudfoot

PR & Marketing Manager
Tel: 01844 271 632

Fax: 0845 458 8807

Email: dayner.proudfoot@apm.org.uk

Web: www.apm.org.uk

Association for Project Management, Ibis House, Regent Park, Summerleys Road, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9LE

- Parallel Project Training gains APM PQ accreditation to offer a full suite of internationally recognised project management training and coaching -

Reading, UK. 27 June 2011: There are many ways that new, and experienced, project managers can obtain the most appropriate training to develop their project management skills and gain professional status. But it has now become easier for project managers to plan for their short and long-term development goals and achieve internationally recognised qualifications through a training course provider accredited by the Association for Project Management (APM).

Reading-based training company Parallel Project Training has recently been awarded APM PQ accreditation to complement their extensive suite of accredited project management courses and workshops. They are now able to offer APM training and coaching at every stage from Introductory Level right through to Registered Project Professional.

The APM Practitioner Qualification (PQ) is intended for project professionals experienced in managing non-complex projects and is the next level up from the popular APMP qualification. It gives experienced project managers the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to effectively plan and control projects, competently manage project risks, respond to major changes and work capably within the project team. Gaining the APM PQ qualification formally recognises these and many other project management skills.

Parallel Project Training sought APM PQ accreditation in response to demand for higher levels of qualifications as project managers increasingly wish to prove their capability to successfully manage projects and organisations demand increased capability within the project management profession in an aim to improve project delivery.

As John Bolton, Programmes Director of Parallel Project Training, commented, “Our training associates have many years of practical project management experience and understand how to maximise candidates’ chances of attaining the important APM PQ qualification. More and more project managers want to receive formal recognition of their experience in order to enhance their career progression and we are now able to guide them from their first introduction to project management right through to the highest professional status.”

- Parallel Project Training supports and develops professional project managers in achieving enhanced project communications -

Reading, UK. 26 May 2011: Recent project management training courses held in Reading and Swindon are being credited with improving communications in major client projects and enabling clients to understand the wider context of decisions that are being taken. The substantial practical experience of delegates was developed by the training into an understanding of how formal project management methods could bring consistency across projects.

For Q-Log project management consultant Ben Young, the driving force behind attending the APMP and APM PQ training courses was to develop better and more formal methods of communicating to clients in a project environment. He needed the ability to communicate demonstrable milestones clearly and effectively with clients to encourage them to engage with the projects.

His previous experience managing projects using the Six Sigma strategy focussed on tracking financial targets and volatility relative to costs but this method was ineffective for communicating what a project was aiming to achieve. Neither did it prove clear enough for communicating the broader context of a project and the reasons why a process was being changed and why certain decisions were taken. The APM methodology enables project managers to demonstrate the value and worth of a project and communicate that to all those affected.

Ben commented “I had a fantastic, refreshing experience with Parallel Project Training. They supported me and developed me as an individual both before and after the courses. Especially beneficial was the one-to-one coaching to help me gain the tough APM PQ qualification. I can now apply reasoned solutions to client projects to help resolve issues more readily. The Parallel trainers were very knowledgeable and supportive and they helped identify my personal strengths and gaps in my knowledge. In client situations like the Q-Log consultancy there is a requirement to continually justify decisions that are taken on projects. The formal APM methodology now enables me to do this with ease.”

The qualifications gained from these project management courses are valuable for a project manager’s personal development but of more benefit was the formalisation of delegates’ understanding of project management methods. The next step in Ben’s progress to chartered professional status is the APM RPP qualification, which will also enhance the professional standing of Q-Log as more of its project managers achieve chartered status.

The committee of APM Thames Valley Branch would like to invite you to join them at an afternoon meeting designed for Heads of project and programme management within our corporate membership and other organisations with a strong interest in developing professional standards within their project management community.

APM has now launched its pan-sector standard for project professionals, APM Registered Project Professional (RPP), which recognises competent professionals through their ability to be responsible leaders, manage a complex project and use appropriate tools, processes and techniques.  For the first time, RPP assesses all elements of APM’s 5 Dimensions of Professionalism in a single standard, thereby enhancing professional status and recognition.

In such challenging times, true project professionals remain hugely valued, reinforcing the message that professionalism has become the mainstay of the industry in recent years. APM Registered Project Professional, therefore, meets a real market demand by externally assessing the competence of the project management community and increasing the likelihood of project success.

We hope you will join us at the Hilton Hotel, Reading on Wednesday 15^th June 2011 at 3.00pm to hear how, together, we can raise the bar of project professionalism to a whole new level.

Presentations will include:

• APM’s Strategy & Direction
  
• The 5 Dimensions of Professionalism in Project Management
  
• How you could align the future development of your Project & Programme Management Professionals
  
• How your organisation can gain advantage from Corporate membership of APM and from our Accreditation programme
  

This will also be an excellent opportunity to meet your peers and to hear how some organisations are already benefiting from engagement with APMs new programmes. The formal event will conclude at 5.30 when drinks and canapés will be served. We hope that you will be able to join us.

Please reply by email indicating whether or not you will be able to attend and if you would like to bring a colleague with you.

Kind regards,

Mike Sheehan
Thames Valley Branch Chairman

- Parallel Project Training emphasises the importance of continuously developing project managers -

Reading, UK. 6 May 2011: A Project Management Academy has been established by innovative training company Parallel Project Training in recognition of the importance to successful projects of developing individual project managers. This follows in the footsteps of organisations such as NASA who were one of the first to appreciate the value of a Project Management Academy.

A Project Management Academy is a framework for the professional development of project managers, which recognises that the human element is a major factor in the success of a project. In increasingly complex business environments, the need to deliver complex projects successfully and consistently is vital and formal training, in isolation, may no longer be sufficient to guarantee successful projects. A Project Management Academy aims to develop project managers through a combination of formal project management training combined with Continuous Professional Development (CPD) that is supplemented with mentoring, knowledge sharing and real-life work experience on projects.

There are four key benefits to the Project Management Academy approach:

• Accredited training supports, challenges and motivates individual project managers
• Work experience supports the formal project management training
• Skills to deliver complex projects are enhanced by CPD activities leading to better performance
• Training and development of project managers is flexible to allow progress at each individual’s own pace

These benefits ultimately ensure that an academy develops into a powerful, self-supporting community of project managers, at different stages of development, who all expect to, and do, consistently achieve success in their projects.

John Bolton, Programmes Director of Parallel Project Training commented “In establishing our Project Management Academy we recognise the need for bespoke solutions to meet the requirements of organisations which have their own well-developed project management processes and procedures. We deliver tailored solutions in the form of company-specific project management courses and activities such as workshops, seminars, webinars and podcasts to help make this happen.”

Parallel Project Training uses a Project Management Academy structure that is based on the levels of competence defined by the International Project Management Association (IPMA). This international standard forms the basis of the APM (Association of Project Managers) Qualifications such as the APMP and the APM RPP.

-Ends-

About Parallel Project Training

Parallel Project Training was formed in October 2009 by John Bolton and Paul Naybour and is supported by a pool of associates, advisers and consultants. Paul’s background is in the management of rail and infrastructure projects, leading major training programmes for many of the key players in the rail and transportation sector.  In addition to rail experience, John has a strong pedigree in major programmes in the software and services sectors along with significant involvement in the management and development of professional project managers. Both are very highly experienced project management professionals, each having over ten years experience as project management development professionals.  Parallel Project Training is based in Reading and offers a highly innovative approach to project management training. The courses include APMP, planning, risk management, estimating, and project leadership and will lead to accreditation where available. They are delivered using a combination of printed study material, e-learning, podcasts and classroom workshops. Parallel offers exceptional value for money with their innovative approach to efficiency and reducing impact on the environment – offering more for less.



- Parallel Project Training introduces APM Registered Project Professional Workshop to help individuals and organisations manage their application for the RPP standard -

Reading, UK, 24 March, 2011 – Parallel Project Training, a specialist training provider in APM project management training, today announced its new APM Registered Project Professional (RPP) Workshop. The workshop aims to help experienced project managers through the application process of the new high level RPP standard.

Parallel Project Training’s RPP Workshop will help delegates understand the RPP application process stages, recognise the language and evidence that will be required, be confident in completing the forms and the interview process and understand potential areas where their portfolio may be deficient and provide an action plan to resolve those deficiencies.

Parallel Project Training is one of only three training providers recognised by the APM as having the appropriate assessors and expertise in Project Management to help students and organisations achieve the RPP standard. There are nearly 1,500 people who have expressed an interest in RPP and Parallel Project Training’s RPP Workshop will help students finalise their applications.

Students will also be able to take advantage of Parallel Project Training’s highly innovative learning solutions for CPD in a wide variety of different formats including an in depth study guide available on Amazon, podcasts on iTunes, on-line e-learning and traditional classroom based training delivery.
 

Commenting on the new RPP Workshop, Paul Naybour, managing director at Parallel Project Training said: “We believe the RPP standard is a fundamental differentiator in the field of professional project management. We aim to offer project management professionals support and advice throughout their training and careers and believe the RPP Workshop will offer the appropriate assistance and guidance for those wishing to submit applications for RPP.

Mike Nichols, APM Chairman, said: “The RPP qualification is the new gold standard against which true professionals in project management will be measured. It will, for the first time, assess all elements of the APM 5 Dimensions of Professionalism in a single standard, thereby enhancing professional status and recognition.” The support Parallel Project Training and other training providers are offering to the launch of RPP is a huge benefit for those project professionals looking to ensure their application is accepted and are able to demonstrate the extent of their project management skills.

- ends -

About Parallel Project Training

Parallel Project Training was formed in October 2009 by John Bolton and Paul Naybour and is supported by a pool of associates, advisers and consultants. Paul’s background is in the management of rail and infrastructure projects, leading major training programmes for many of the key players in the rail and transportation sector. In addition to rail experience, John has a strong pedigree in major programmes in the software and services sectors along with significant involvement in the management and development of professional project managers. Both are very highly experienced project management professionals, each having over ten years experience as project management development professionals. Parallel Project Training is based in Reading and offers a highly innovative approach to project management training. The courses include APMP, planning, risk management, estimating, and project leadership and will lead to accreditation where available. They are delivered using a combination of printed study material, e-learning, podcasts and classroom workshops. Parallel offers exceptional value for money with their innovative approach to efficiency and reducing impact on the environment – offering more for less.

About the Association for Project Management (APM)

Founded in 1972, the Association for Project Management has been at the forefront of the development of project, programme and portfolio management for over 35 years. The APM is a registered charity with over 18,000 individual and 500 corporate members making it the largest professional body of its kind in Europe. As part of its strategy to raise awareness and standards in the profession it is currently in the process of applying for a Royal Charter.

About APM Registered Project Professional

APM Registered Project Professional will recognise all professionals across projects, programme and portfolios including specialists. Those achieving Registered Project Professional status will demonstrate their professionalism through the APM 5 Dimensions of Professionalism.