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How Project Management Can Start Your Career In Cleantech
by Mike Brownell
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At least 20% of all the entry level, cleantech jobs that Dayaway lists are for project management, supply chain and logistics roles (click to see fresh postings ). Considering that the majority of our other cleantech jobs are for STEM degrees, PM/S/L roles are an excellent entry point for environmental science, business, and liberal arts majors. But what would you do in these roles and what are the requirements where you might need extra project management training?
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Project Management, Supply Chain & Logistics Roles
Project management is all about managing dates, costs, quality and efficiency. Supply chain roles include a lot of PM with emphasis upon making sure a business acquires the materials and services it needs for the end product or service it sells. Logistics also employs PM expertise to assure that materials and services move efficiently from point A to point B. While these roles can require 10 to 15 years of experience, it is equally true that the analytical, critical thinking and communication skills possessed by a new grad English or Environmental Science major will transfer nicely to a PM/SC/L role with a little bit of training. So about that project management training . . .
Why & How You May Need to Supplement Your College Training
Very few colleges or universities spend a whole lot of time teaching project management, supply chain or logistics skills. No worries. There is an abundance of great online project management training for these roles. Listed below are some online training courses and programs we have found by doing what you would have done – google! This training list varies by certification, testing, cost, duration and other factors. These courses do not target cleantech specifically, but that’s less important since your first step should be on mastering fundamentals.
None of these training organizations requested or consented to being on this list; we only believe that they provide PM/SC/L training based on our research. Please do your own due diligence before signing up for a course (especially to see where their attendees get jobs after completing the training).
Project management is all about managing dates, costs, quality and efficiency. Supply chain roles include a lot of PM with emphasis upon making sure a business acquires the materials and services it needs for the end product or service it sells. Logistics also employs PM expertise to assure that materials and services move efficiently from point A to point B. While these roles can require 10 to 15 years of experience, it is equally true that the analytical, critical thinking and communication skills possessed by a new grad English or Environmental Science major will transfer nicely to a PM/SC/L role with a little bit of training. So about that project management training . . .
Why & How You May Need to Supplement Your College Training
Very few colleges or universities spend a whole lot of time teaching project management, supply chain or logistics skills. No worries. There is an abundance of great online project management training for these roles. Listed below are some online training courses and programs we have found by doing what you would have done – google! This training list varies by certification, testing, cost, duration and other factors. These courses do not target cleantech specifically, but that’s less important since your first step should be on mastering fundamentals.
None of these training organizations requested or consented to being on this list; we only believe that they provide PM/SC/L training based on our research. Please do your own due diligence before signing up for a course (especially to see where their attendees get jobs after completing the training).
Online Project Management Training (including Supply Chain and Logistics)
Intro to Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization
University of California, Irvine (Coursera)
2 months (at 5 hrs/week); $49 per month
You will gain a strong working knowledge of the basics of project management and be able to immediately use that knowledge to effectively manage work projects. At the end of the series you will be able to identify and manage the product scope, build a work breakdown structure, create a project plan, create the project budget, define and allocate resources, manage the project development, identify and manage risks, and understand the project procurement process.
Foundations of Management Specialization
IESE (Coursera)
6 months (at 4 hours/week); $49 per month
This Specialization will give you a comprehensive introduction to the practice of management through the lens of four key disciplines: accounting, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior.
CPIM
Certified in Production and Inventory Management
Course divided into two parts. Part 1 is 600 pages of reading and Part 2 is 900 pages of reading. Each CPIM exam part consists of 150 questions answered in 3.5 hours; Part 1: $550, Part 2: $690 Bundle Package: $1,900
Demonstrate professional knowledge in increasing organization’s profitability by optimizing its production and inventory management within “four walls” of organization.
ECT Centre of Technology- Project Management Expert Certificate
Approx. 80 hours of learning time; approx. $1,000
Courses were developed from the European Galileo Project to help the growth of the Renewable Energy sector in Europe. This expert learning pathway helps participants become experts in their chosen field.
Project Management Institute- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
23 hour online course + 3 hours for online 150 question multiple choice exam (retake every 5 years to recertify); Online Course: $400, Exam: $300 (non-member)
If you’d like to manage larger projects and gain more responsibility or add project management skills into your current role. Requires a 23 hour online course and 3 hour online 150 multiple choice exam.
CompTIA Project+
90 minute multiple choice exam; Exam only: $319, Study guide book: $139, CertMaster Practice: $189, Bundles also exist to make it cheaper.
CompTIA Project+ is designed for business professionals who coordinate or manage small-to-medium-size projects, inside and outside of IT. The exam certifies the knowledge and skills required to manage the project life cycle, ensure appropriate, communication, manage resources, manage stakeholders, and maintain project documentation.
Association for Project Management (APM) – Project Fundamentals Qualification
60 multiple choice question exam (1 hour); Study Guide: £29.95, Exam: £156
For those wishing to gain a broad understanding of the principles of the profession. No prior knowledge or experience is required for this qualification, which will offer the individual the knowledge to make a positive contribution to any project.
Practical Project Management for Managers and First Time PMs (Udemy)
3 hour course; $50
This course is designed for: new and want-to-be project managers; project managers who have had no formal training and who want to start to formalize what you have learned on the job; beginners and also for intermediates with a few projects under your belt; managers and professionals who are starting to need to deliver projects as a part of your day-to-day responsibilities. This course will give you a great leg up if you need to get involved in your first project... in any capacity
Project Management Certification | Project Management Course (Udemy)
2.5 hour course; $200
This Project Management course Udemy about how to Become a Project Manager, is designed to provide you with the in-depth knowledge and skills you need to become a successful Project Manager in any industry.
Beginning Project Management: Project Management Level One (Udemy)
3.5 hour course; $75
In this fundamental course we will explore the big picture of project management and the project management life cycle. You’ll finish this course with a great grasp of what project management is, what your roles and responsibilities as a project manager will be, and how to move forward in your career as a project manager. This course is designed for people that are new to project management.
Introduction to Project Management (PMI)
Self-paced; Non-Member $350.00, PMI Member $300
This online, self-paced series provides entry-level information on each Knowledge Area of the PMBOK Guide—Sixth Edition and will enable you to effectively put project management principles to work at your own organizations. Each module features a pre- and post-assessment, allowing you to measure your progress.
Online Project Management Certificate Program (Center for Professional Education, The University of Texas at Austin)
Online Self-paced, Students have 4 months from the date of registration to complete the program; $2,999
In this course, you will discover a proven framework for leading and directing projects and project teams to deliver results on time and within budget. Learn the essential processes of project management and be able to incorporate them into your career with confidence. While this is not a test-prep course, the program does provide the education requirements needed to sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® or the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification exams.
Associate in Project Management (APM) Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM)
15-20-hour program; Premium Package (E-Course Version) $175, Standard Package $70
The Associate in Project Management (APM)™ certificate is an entry-level certification in the field of Project Management Framework, The APM certificate demonstrates that the candidate has a required knowledge in the field of Project Management confining to the entry-level of project management, candidate who have little or no knowledge of project management can appear for the APM certification.
Certified Junior Agile Project Manager International Association of Project Managers (IAPM)
Self-study, training partner workshops may also be available; Based on nationality, for US residents approx. $125
Internationally recognized, the online "Certified Junior Agile Project Manager (IAPM)" certification is the perfect first certification for agile project management novices, students or people who are interested in a future career in agile project management. It qualifies you to work in projects and is a persuasive argument in a job application.
PRINCE2® Project Management Certifications AXELOS
Self-study, proctored online exam; Prices vary as AXELOS partners w/ training organizations for certifications
The PRINCE2 6th Edition Certification Scheme builds on PRINCE2 5th Edition but places a new emphasis on tailoring the method to the needs of organizations and project management environments.It comprises the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner qualifications as well as the PRINCE2 Agile certification scheme
Professional Certificate in Logistics for micro and small businesses -MYPES (Spanish Language Program)
Self-study, 5 months @3-5 hours/week; $90
This Professional Certification program will teach you to improve the logistics processes of your company in such a way that you develop strategic tools to increase the profitability, sustainability of your business and manage to stay connected with the demands of the value network.
CSPCM- SCPro Fundamentals Certification
Doesn’t state for fundamentals course; but a Level 1 certification took 2-4 hours/week for 2-3 months; $1,600 for 8 courses ($200 for each)
The Supply Chain Management Principles certification track is a great place to start and is considered to be a ‘launch pad’ to begin your supply chain educational and certification process. It provides a high-level overview of each of the functions in a supply chain. The program offers 8 training certification tracks: Supply chain management principles, customer service operations, transportation operations, warehousing operations, demand planning, inventory management, manufacturing/service operations, supply management/procurement.
Supply Chain Management Certificate by Michigan State University
56 days per course; $6,845 (but ranges depending upon certificate desired)
With the steady demand in this critical business discipline, this set of certifications give you the opportunity to learn from the best in this industry and field. There are a plethora of options to choose from based on the varying level of experiences. For example, the Master Certificate in Supply Management and Logistics requires three 8-week courses for $2480 each or $6845 total.
Supply Chain Management Certification by Rutgers Business School (Coursera)
5 months (at 4 hours/week); Can audit for free (only read/view course content), otherwise $49/month
Divided into 4 basic courses, the lessons will cover concepts under logistics, operations, planning, and sourcing. Beginner level program, and all core concepts are covered from scratch. The capstone course will give you an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in the lectures to solve a real-world business case.
Supply Chain Principles- Georgia Tech (Coursera)
5 weeks total (4-6 hours per week); $49 per month
This SCM certification is specifically designed to help you get a strong footing in the core principles of the supply chain.
Supply Chain Management Certification by UCL (edX)
6 weeks (6-8 hrs per week); Free ($50 for certificate)
This business and management course is designed to help you make effective supply chain decisions by taking into consideration all aspects of youur business. The study materials along with videos can be accessed for free, and certification is available for $50.
Supply Chain Management Course by KAIST (Coursera)
14 hours; $49 per month
This class will help you understand the fundamental principles of value creation for the consumer and the market. Approach the various issues of this field and ask questions from a dynamic learning perspective that will have a long term impact.
Value Chain Management Specialization (Coursera)
3-6 months, self-paced; $49 per month
This Specialization is part of the University of Illinois iMBA Program. When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.
Financial Management Specialization – University of Illinois (Coursera)
7 months (at 6 hours/week); $49 per month
Covers the fundamentals of strategic financial management, including financial accounting, investments, and corporate finance. You will learn to evaluate major strategic corporate and investment decisions and to understand capital markets and institutions from a financial perspective, and you will develop an integrated framework for value-based financial management and individual financial decision-making.
Project Management Training Creates Career Options
Many people have wonderful life-long careers in PM/SC/L roles. Others use them as a great way to learn about a company, make contacts and discover other roles. So, whether these roles are a career home or stepping stone, consider PM/SC/L as you look to start your career in cleantech.
Intro to Project Management Principles and Practices Specialization
University of California, Irvine (Coursera)
2 months (at 5 hrs/week); $49 per month
You will gain a strong working knowledge of the basics of project management and be able to immediately use that knowledge to effectively manage work projects. At the end of the series you will be able to identify and manage the product scope, build a work breakdown structure, create a project plan, create the project budget, define and allocate resources, manage the project development, identify and manage risks, and understand the project procurement process.
Foundations of Management Specialization
IESE (Coursera)
6 months (at 4 hours/week); $49 per month
This Specialization will give you a comprehensive introduction to the practice of management through the lens of four key disciplines: accounting, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior.
CPIM
Certified in Production and Inventory Management
Course divided into two parts. Part 1 is 600 pages of reading and Part 2 is 900 pages of reading. Each CPIM exam part consists of 150 questions answered in 3.5 hours; Part 1: $550, Part 2: $690 Bundle Package: $1,900
Demonstrate professional knowledge in increasing organization’s profitability by optimizing its production and inventory management within “four walls” of organization.
ECT Centre of Technology- Project Management Expert Certificate
Approx. 80 hours of learning time; approx. $1,000
Courses were developed from the European Galileo Project to help the growth of the Renewable Energy sector in Europe. This expert learning pathway helps participants become experts in their chosen field.
Project Management Institute- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
23 hour online course + 3 hours for online 150 question multiple choice exam (retake every 5 years to recertify); Online Course: $400, Exam: $300 (non-member)
If you’d like to manage larger projects and gain more responsibility or add project management skills into your current role. Requires a 23 hour online course and 3 hour online 150 multiple choice exam.
CompTIA Project+
90 minute multiple choice exam; Exam only: $319, Study guide book: $139, CertMaster Practice: $189, Bundles also exist to make it cheaper.
CompTIA Project+ is designed for business professionals who coordinate or manage small-to-medium-size projects, inside and outside of IT. The exam certifies the knowledge and skills required to manage the project life cycle, ensure appropriate, communication, manage resources, manage stakeholders, and maintain project documentation.
Association for Project Management (APM) – Project Fundamentals Qualification
60 multiple choice question exam (1 hour); Study Guide: £29.95, Exam: £156
For those wishing to gain a broad understanding of the principles of the profession. No prior knowledge or experience is required for this qualification, which will offer the individual the knowledge to make a positive contribution to any project.
Practical Project Management for Managers and First Time PMs (Udemy)
3 hour course; $50
This course is designed for: new and want-to-be project managers; project managers who have had no formal training and who want to start to formalize what you have learned on the job; beginners and also for intermediates with a few projects under your belt; managers and professionals who are starting to need to deliver projects as a part of your day-to-day responsibilities. This course will give you a great leg up if you need to get involved in your first project... in any capacity
Project Management Certification | Project Management Course (Udemy)
2.5 hour course; $200
This Project Management course Udemy about how to Become a Project Manager, is designed to provide you with the in-depth knowledge and skills you need to become a successful Project Manager in any industry.
Beginning Project Management: Project Management Level One (Udemy)
3.5 hour course; $75
In this fundamental course we will explore the big picture of project management and the project management life cycle. You’ll finish this course with a great grasp of what project management is, what your roles and responsibilities as a project manager will be, and how to move forward in your career as a project manager. This course is designed for people that are new to project management.
Introduction to Project Management (PMI)
Self-paced; Non-Member $350.00, PMI Member $300
This online, self-paced series provides entry-level information on each Knowledge Area of the PMBOK Guide—Sixth Edition and will enable you to effectively put project management principles to work at your own organizations. Each module features a pre- and post-assessment, allowing you to measure your progress.
Online Project Management Certificate Program (Center for Professional Education, The University of Texas at Austin)
Online Self-paced, Students have 4 months from the date of registration to complete the program; $2,999
In this course, you will discover a proven framework for leading and directing projects and project teams to deliver results on time and within budget. Learn the essential processes of project management and be able to incorporate them into your career with confidence. While this is not a test-prep course, the program does provide the education requirements needed to sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® or the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification exams.
Associate in Project Management (APM) Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM)
15-20-hour program; Premium Package (E-Course Version) $175, Standard Package $70
The Associate in Project Management (APM)™ certificate is an entry-level certification in the field of Project Management Framework, The APM certificate demonstrates that the candidate has a required knowledge in the field of Project Management confining to the entry-level of project management, candidate who have little or no knowledge of project management can appear for the APM certification.
Certified Junior Agile Project Manager International Association of Project Managers (IAPM)
Self-study, training partner workshops may also be available; Based on nationality, for US residents approx. $125
Internationally recognized, the online "Certified Junior Agile Project Manager (IAPM)" certification is the perfect first certification for agile project management novices, students or people who are interested in a future career in agile project management. It qualifies you to work in projects and is a persuasive argument in a job application.
PRINCE2® Project Management Certifications AXELOS
Self-study, proctored online exam; Prices vary as AXELOS partners w/ training organizations for certifications
The PRINCE2 6th Edition Certification Scheme builds on PRINCE2 5th Edition but places a new emphasis on tailoring the method to the needs of organizations and project management environments.It comprises the PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner qualifications as well as the PRINCE2 Agile certification scheme
Professional Certificate in Logistics for micro and small businesses -MYPES (Spanish Language Program)
Self-study, 5 months @3-5 hours/week; $90
This Professional Certification program will teach you to improve the logistics processes of your company in such a way that you develop strategic tools to increase the profitability, sustainability of your business and manage to stay connected with the demands of the value network.
CSPCM- SCPro Fundamentals Certification
Doesn’t state for fundamentals course; but a Level 1 certification took 2-4 hours/week for 2-3 months; $1,600 for 8 courses ($200 for each)
The Supply Chain Management Principles certification track is a great place to start and is considered to be a ‘launch pad’ to begin your supply chain educational and certification process. It provides a high-level overview of each of the functions in a supply chain. The program offers 8 training certification tracks: Supply chain management principles, customer service operations, transportation operations, warehousing operations, demand planning, inventory management, manufacturing/service operations, supply management/procurement.
Supply Chain Management Certificate by Michigan State University
56 days per course; $6,845 (but ranges depending upon certificate desired)
With the steady demand in this critical business discipline, this set of certifications give you the opportunity to learn from the best in this industry and field. There are a plethora of options to choose from based on the varying level of experiences. For example, the Master Certificate in Supply Management and Logistics requires three 8-week courses for $2480 each or $6845 total.
Supply Chain Management Certification by Rutgers Business School (Coursera)
5 months (at 4 hours/week); Can audit for free (only read/view course content), otherwise $49/month
Divided into 4 basic courses, the lessons will cover concepts under logistics, operations, planning, and sourcing. Beginner level program, and all core concepts are covered from scratch. The capstone course will give you an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in the lectures to solve a real-world business case.
Supply Chain Principles- Georgia Tech (Coursera)
5 weeks total (4-6 hours per week); $49 per month
This SCM certification is specifically designed to help you get a strong footing in the core principles of the supply chain.
Supply Chain Management Certification by UCL (edX)
6 weeks (6-8 hrs per week); Free ($50 for certificate)
This business and management course is designed to help you make effective supply chain decisions by taking into consideration all aspects of youur business. The study materials along with videos can be accessed for free, and certification is available for $50.
Supply Chain Management Course by KAIST (Coursera)
14 hours; $49 per month
This class will help you understand the fundamental principles of value creation for the consumer and the market. Approach the various issues of this field and ask questions from a dynamic learning perspective that will have a long term impact.
Value Chain Management Specialization (Coursera)
3-6 months, self-paced; $49 per month
This Specialization is part of the University of Illinois iMBA Program. When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.
Financial Management Specialization – University of Illinois (Coursera)
7 months (at 6 hours/week); $49 per month
Covers the fundamentals of strategic financial management, including financial accounting, investments, and corporate finance. You will learn to evaluate major strategic corporate and investment decisions and to understand capital markets and institutions from a financial perspective, and you will develop an integrated framework for value-based financial management and individual financial decision-making.
Project Management Training Creates Career Options
Many people have wonderful life-long careers in PM/SC/L roles. Others use them as a great way to learn about a company, make contacts and discover other roles. So, whether these roles are a career home or stepping stone, consider PM/SC/L as you look to start your career in cleantech.
Mike Brownell is the founder and president of Dayaway Careers.
