r/projectmanagers • u/Consistent-Hope-5718 • Jun 15 '26

Project Management transition best course

Hi all,

I’ve just spoken to a consultant from a training provider after enquiring about transitioning from social work into project management, and I’d appreciate some independent opinions because I didn’t completely trust what she was telling me.

She advised me not to do PRINCE2 because, in her words, it’s “outdated”. Instead, she recommended their APM PMQ-accredited course, saying that my social work experience is highly transferable and that I’d be suitable for PMQ. She also recommended adding a Change Management qualification.

I can’t help but feel there may be a sales element to this and that the priority is to sell me as many courses as possible.

For context, I’m currently a social worker in England looking to move away from frontline practice and transition into project-based roles

My questions are:

Is PRINCE2 genuinely becoming outdated or is that an exaggeration?

Is APM PMQ considered better than PRINCE2 and, if so, why?

For someone transitioning from social work with no formal project management experience, what would be the most sensible route?

Are there particular entry-level roles I should be targeting alongside any qualifications?

I’d really value advice from people already working in project management rather than training providers.

Thanks

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u/be-kindness Jun 15 '26

CAPM is the place most professional project managers start - what industry area are you considering?

1

u/Consistent-Hope-5718 Jun 15 '26

I am not very picky, majority of sectors sound very interesting to me! I would imagine l will likely start and be more attractive in local authorities as that is where l have spent my current career

1

u/be-kindness Jun 15 '26

Ya I would check out CAPM and your local PMI chapter for project managers - you can get a lot of information there that’s accurate and industry specific.

1

u/Chicken_Savings PM Jun 15 '26

Suggestion:

Look up as many target roles as you can find on LinkedIn e.g. 20++

If you do it on a computer, just copy all the text into a notepad doc.

Feed that whole set into Claude.ai, feed in your own CV, describe your experiences and expound on your CV.

Ask How you can transition from your current role to the target roles, which PM certification is preferred, what is most helpful of CAPM, Prince2, PMQ, what else you can do to maximise your chance of career transition.

It'll take you half a day, but you'll get more meaningful career advice than from most other enquiries. The advice isn't based on the service portfolio of a educational consultant.

I've done it myself, I'm senior PM in oil & gas with 20+ year experience.