Perfect time to upskill into IT project management

Feeling comfortable in your current role as an IT professional, but can’t shake the feeling there could be more to it? Are you seeking an upwards move within the IT arena and wondering how to get there?

With the offering of our new IT project management collection, there couldn’t be a better time to dust off your current IT-persona and look towards upskilling into IT project management. 

You might be wondering what the role itself looks like. Alongside leading a team and hitting targets, a key focus is to handle risk while also adapting to changes with project strategies. So let’s delve into the intricacies.

What are some of the key responsibilities of an IT Project Manager?

• Lead web, app, and mobile projects
• Estimate and plan the scope for all projects
• Deliver projects on time and on budget
• Schedule workflow and resources
• Risk management
• Comms with senior stakeholders or clients
• Manage and communicate with all involved teams
• Service desk management

What opportunities exist within the current IT climate?

Depending on which avenue you are wanting to dip your experienced IT toe into, the roles within IT project management are endless.

Sitting across three tiers of expertise, the move from IT professional into IT project management comes with various avenues.

Entry-level 

• IT project coordinator – average salary of around £28k
• IT project support – average salary of around £30k
• Help desk engineer – average salary of around £25k
• Project management assistant – average salary of around £27k

Mid-level

• Service desk manager – average salary of around £42k
• Project scheduler – average salary of around £35k
• IT project manager – average salary of around £47k
• IT operations manager – average salary of around £52k

Advanced-level

• Senior agile project manager – average salary of around £60k
• Digital project lead – average salary of around £47k 
• Business change manager – average salary of around £50k 
• Programme director – average salary of around £67k 

Starting out as an entry-level IT project coordinator could see you heading towards a project scheduling role, eventually leading into an agile or digital project manager position, while business change analysts can welcome promotions to positions like service desk manager. And if programme management is more your bag, working your way up from an IT project or operations manager could be just the ticket for upskilling.

Why now?

From the expansion of Artificial Intelligence to big data analysis and an increase in remote working, the future of the digital working landscape is ever-changing. This means more and more new and existing tech companies are looking for certified IT project managers to take the reins and help implement an effective and well-structured digital strategy.

Learning the right tools and upskilling into IT project management could be your golden ticket into the new world of technology. With the digital age firmly upon us, business processes, company culture and customer experiences require a certain amount of digital transformation. This key term refers to the implementation of digital technology into organisations in line with consumer and market demands. 

Fundamentally? Digital transformation is altering the ways in which companies function and execute value to their customer base. Enter you, a certified project manager. As an already established IT professional, upskilling into project management can help you stay one step ahead of the tech game. 

Not only is the role essential to understanding the needs of that digital strategy and how it will fit within the company, but it also requires a whole lot of skill, focus and adaptability. This means you’ll need to work on ways in which you can move onwards and upwards.

How can I move upwards in my IT career?

A progressional move means you’ll need to be fully equipped with the right training and certifications to stand out within whichever role that catches your experienced eye. With our IT project management collections, we’ve got the next stage of your career covered.

If you find yourself at the beginning of your project management career, look no further than the following courses:

PRINCE2® Foundation  

Ideal for project team members, entry-level project managers, this course teaches the basics of project management so perfect for easing you in. There are no prerequisites and you’ll receive a global standard qualification.

ITIL v4 Foundation  

This entry-level certification suits those looking to enter project management assistant, service desk manager and project scheduler roles amongst others. Once accredited, you can look to earn up to £75k a year. Skills in ITIL® are highly sought after by employers.

CompTIA Project+ 

Seeking to be a highly skilled team leader? Check out this stellar certification. Suiting aspiring project managers and project coordinators, this IT project management certification will get you readily prepared for those highly in-demand digital transformation roles.

Change Management Foundation

Is your goal to drive change in your organisation while striving to meet new market trends? This could be your perfect career move from IT professional into IT project management. With an average national earning of £50k, future-proofing your career has never looked so tangible.

Student success: from IT support to project management

Hear from Learning People student Owen on how getting certified helped him land his dream role in the industry.

Get in touch today to start making moves into IT project management. We can help get you certified quickly and easily with our range of courses, and help you land your ideal role with our Career Services. No matter your experience as an IT professional, we can help you upskill and reach your career goals.