By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
At no time have project management skills been in greater demand than now in Central New York. With Micron Technology poised to invest $100 billion in its memory media site in Clay over the next two decades, many of the 50,000 jobs in the area — including 9,000 at Micron — will require project management.
In addition, Project Management Institute, a worldwide trade organization, stated that employers will need an anticipated 87.7 million workers in project management-related roles by 2027. Those certified in project management have a 25% higher median salary than those without it.
“One thing we recommend is training, even if you’ve had project management experience,” said Randy Wolken, president and CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, Inc.
He said that or a local college program can help.
“Find supplements to learning and I don’t care if you’ve been in the business 30 years,” he said. “This could make a difference between getting your next job.”
Coursera’s project management course includes professional level training to increase proficiency in portfolio-ready projects. Completion of the course results in a recognized certificate from Google and can help obtain employment as a project manager, project coordinator or project assistant. The six-course series includes: Foundations of Project Management (18 hours); Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project (21 hours); Project Planning: Putting It All Together (29 hours); Project Execution: Running the Project (26 hours); Agile Project Management (25 hours); and Capstone: Applying Project Management in the Real World (33 hours).
Local schools include Syracuse University, which offers a 15-credit, eight-week project management certificate online. The interdisciplinary course helps students learn the basics of organization, leadership, methods and communication related to project management. Completing the course qualifies a student to take the certified associate in project management exams. The curriculum includes Foundations of Project Management (3 credits); Project Organization and Leadership (3 credits); Project Management Methodologies (3 credits); Project Controls (3 credits); and Project Communications and Stakeholder Management (3 credits). Students are required to have previous higher education experience to apply.
Another local example is Onondaga Community College’s Associate Degree in Construction Management, which can provide the necessary skills.
“Our construction management program will give you the ability to confidently lead new projects and crew,” the school’s website states.
The program includes key areas such as leadership, math and science, computer and drafting, material usage, public safety and scheduling. Possible employment opportunities include team lead for a construction company, project manager, or drafting associate.
As a type of project manager, the construction manager career category is slated to grow by 8.6% and remain in high regional demand, according to the US Department of Labor.
To decide which type of program is right for you, compare the cost of tuition with the local median salaries associated with the type of employment for which the program qualifies you. You should also note that if you have already completed a college program, you may have credits that transfer. Discuss your situation with a representative of the school before committing to a program.
