Project ControlsAddressing the Skills Shortage and

Establishing a Career Path

Shane Forth

Manager of Project Controls

Power & Process Europe

Agenda Introduction BCECA Project Control

Managers Committee ECITB Working Groups Project Control Apprenticeship Project Controls Career Path Project Control NVQ

– Project Control NVQ - Levels 2,3 and 4– Project Control NVQ – Unit Contents and Example Unit

Assessment Structure and Approved Assessment Centres Typical Profiles of Level 2, 3 & 4 Candidates at Start What the Candidates Say Progress Since 2006 What are the Benefits ?

Shane Forth FAPM, FACostE

Professional- Manager of Project Controls (17 of last 21 years with AMEC)- SPMM Project Controls Champion- Operational Excellence (Lead Planning & Scheduling SME) - AMEC Project Academy (Lead AMEC Presenter – Project Controls)

- Specialist support and peer assists, recommendation and implementation of project control improvements to major projects

BCECA– Chairman Project Control Managers

Working Group

Association of Cost Engineers– Vice-President – Chairman, Planning & Scheduling SIG– Website Contact, Project Management &

Control

ECITB Working Groups – National Working Group, Project Control

Apprenticeship– North East Working Group, Project Control

Apprenticeship– Project Controls, National Occupational

Standards Working Group

BCECA Project Control Managers Committee

In September 2002, BCECA Project Control Managers Committee was formed at the request of member companies HR departments to find a solution to the shortage of project controls staff and discuss whether a combined effort on training new staff would be useful.

BCECA is the trade association representing the principal EPC and project management companies in the UK and provides a focal point for representation of its members interests to UK Government, European Union International Institutions and Clients

BCECA Project Control Managers Committee

Status Engineering Industry no longer attractive to potential employees Project Control perceived as below Project Management

In September 2002, BCECA Project Control Managers Committee was formed at the request of member companies HR departments to find a solution to the shortage of project controls staff and discuss whether a combined effort on training new staff would be useful.

Initial Findings were:

Retention Recognition needed that excellent planning and cost engineers should earn higher salary then some Project Control Mangers Difficulty in retaining project controls staff due status issue Some of the bright youngsters want to quickly change their route to other disciplines. Final salary pension schemes seen as a big incentive to permanent staff

Recruitment Recruitment of staff planning engineers virtually impossible Shortage of top quality cost cngineers. Age distribution (eg lack of people in 30's) Agency to staff ratio too high Agency rates too high due to national shortage Some Clients adopt man to man marking which compounds the problem

Career Development 35-45 age group in short supply Increase in the number of large projects has caused shortage Project Control NVQ’s for Levels 3 & 4 good but need updating Need to improve training structure and introduce more formal and standard modules across all companies. Next decade the youngest staff need to be developed quickly to meet demands of major projects

BCECA is the trade association representing the principal EPC and project management companies in the UK and provides a focal point for representation of its members interests to UK Government, European Union International Institutions and Clients

Proposal for redevelopment and reaccreditation by QCA, funding, functional analysis review of existing standards, iterative drafts, national consultation

ECITB Working Groups

National Working Group (2002 – 2004) Update of PC NOS and Level 3 and 4 NVQ’s

OSCEngProVoc

In April 2005 the new Project Control NOS’s for Levels 3 & 4 were launched at three national seminars including at Davy Technology Centre, Thornaby

But … Occupational Standards (OS) and Project Control Level 3 and 4 NVQ’s in place since 1996 needed updating to fit in with National framework (ie NOS’s). Full redevelopment and approval cycle, was necessary – a time consuming process

National Working Group (2005 -2007)Development of Level 2 Project Control Standards

Proposal for redevelopment and reaccreditation by QCA, funding, functional analysis review of existing standards, iterative drafts, national consultation

ECITB Working Groups

National Working Group (2002 – 2004) Update of PC NOS and Level 3 and 4 NVQ’s

Funding, functional analysis, iterative drafts, national consultation

OSCEngProVoc

ProVoc

In April 2005 the new Project Control NOS’s for Levels 3 & 4 were launched at three national seminars including at Davy Technology Centre, Thornaby

Feedback from Industry was loud and clear - a Level 2 Project Control NVQ was required as the entry point to attract people into a career in project controls

But … Occupational Standards (OS) and Project Control Level 3 and 4 NVQ’s in place since 1996 needed updating to fit in with National framework (ie NOS’s). Full redevelopment and approval cycle, was necessary – a time consuming process

ECITB Working Groups

ProVocNational Working Group (2006 - 2007)Project Control Apprenticeship

Developed national apprenticeship framework Obtained government funding for employers Developed support material for in company training at NVQ Level 3 (graduates) Unable to source development and delivery “Off the Job” Project Control training in South East

With the Project Standards under development for Level 2, development work for a national project control apprenticeship commenced:

Recruitment of apprentices Innovative and collaborative approach Development of Off the Job training material and review by employers Development of On the job training material (project control workbooks) and review by employers Training of employers line managers (coaches) Specified requirements for development of Foundation Degree (FdSc)

ECITB Working Groups

ProVocNational Working Group (2006 - 2007)Project Control Apprenticeship

North East Working (2007 -2008)Project Control Apprenticeship

Developed national apprenticeship framework Obtained government funding for employers Developed support material for in company training at NVQ Level 3 (graduates) Unable to source development and delivery “Off the Job” Project Control training in South East

With the Project Standards under development for Level 2, development work for a national project control apprenticeship commenced:

Project Controls Apprenticeship

On the Job coached training

Complete BTEC NC(day Release)

Induct

Off the Job Modules(4 days/week)

BTEC NC in Construction(day release)

Introduction to Work

Key Skills

10 Months

Student Membership of APM or ACostE

14 Months

BTEC Project Control NVQ Level 2

Employers Requirements Met

On the Job coached training towards level 3

ECITB Project Control Course

24 months

Grad ACostE

Project ControlNVQ Level 3

4 Years

FLEXIBLE

The Project Controls Career Path

Level 2 NVQ Level 3 NVQ

Level 4 NVQ

Further Education

Initial Training &

Development

Project Support

1 Year

Major Projects

Project Control Engineer Planning Engineer or

Cost Engineer

3 Years

Senior Project Control Engineer Senior Planning Engineer or

Senior Cost Engineer

3 Years

Project Controls Manager

5 Years

Major ProjectsAsst. Project Control Engineer

Asst. Planning Engineer or

Asst. Cost Engineer

Minor Projects

Project Control Engineer

Planning Engineer or

Cost Engineer

5 Years

4 Years -(A Level Entrant))

3 Years ( Graduate Entrant

3 - 4 Years (Craft Skill Transfer Entrant)

Project Manager/ / Project Director

Student Member APM or ACostE

FAPM or FACostE

Grad ACostE or Associate Member APM

MAPM or MACostE

(GCSE Entrant)

Major Projects

Major Projects

Project Control NVQ

Project Control Body Of

Competence

64 National Occupational Standards

408 specifications

of what you must be able

to do

469 specifications

of what you must know

National Vocational Qualifications

Level 2 – 14 Units (8 Mandatory, 3 from 6 Optional = 11 for NVQ Cert

Level 3 – 17 Units (7 Mandatory, 5 from 10 Optional) = 12 for NVQ Cert

Level 4 – 35 Units (10 Mandatory, 10 from 25 Optional) = 20 for NVQ Cert

Project Control NVQ Level 2

Project Control NVQ – Level 3Mandatory Units PC2 – Apply information technology (IT) to project control PC4 – Monitor risks and review contingencies PC7 – Apply quality assurance procedures to project control activities PC8 – Retrieve, record and present project control information PC14 – Develop yourself in the project control work role PC17 – Contribute to effective project working relationships PC18 – Observe and apply professional ethics and values

Developing the project – Optional Units (2 out of 4 Units to be completed) PC24 – Prepare project cost estimates PC25 – Prepare the project programme PC26 – Plan the project procurement activities PC28 – Apply procedures, methods and systems Implementing the project – Optional Units (3 out of 6 Units to be completed) PC33 – Prepare project control budgets PC34 – Prepare project control programmes and schedules PC36 – Carry out project cost control activities PC38 – Carry out project scheduling activities PC45 – Calculate the financial outcomes of activities PC46 – Calculate activity completion data

Project Control NVQ – Level 4Mandatory Units PC1 – Oversee the application of information technology (IT) to project control PC3 – Identify risks and evaluate options for their control PC5 – Monitor the implementation of risk control measures PC6 – Assure and control the quality of project control activities PC9 – Acquire and handle information needed for project control PC18 – Observe and apply professional ethics and values PC19 – Plan and implement project control operational developments PC49 – Identify and quantify emerging changes PC50 – Ensure the completion of project control activities PC51 – Evaluate project controls performance and project information and data

Working with people and managing yourself – Optional Units (3 out of 6 Units to be completed) PC10 – Provide advice and support to maintain progress PC11 – Manage the project control team – agree objectives with teams and individuals PC12 – Manage the project control team – allocate work PC13 – Manage the continuing development of your personal and project control professional skills PC15 – Develop the skills of your project control team members PC16 – Develop and maintain effective working relationships Developing the project – Optional Units (3 out of 6 Units to be completed) PC20 – Determine the requirements for project control PC21 – Estimate and specify financial resources PC22 – Develop the project programme PC23 – Establish project procurement requirements PC27 – Establish procedures, methods and systems PC29 – Develop commercial control procedures Implementing the project – Optional Units (4 out of 13 Units to be completed) PC30 – Develop the work breakdown and coding structures PC31 – Establish project control budgets PC32 – Establish project control programmes and schedules PC35 – Monitor, control and report on exposure, commitment and expenditure PC37 – Monitor, control and report on project progress PC39 – Select tenderers and obtain estimates, bids and tenders PC40 – Evaluate and select successful bids from tenderers PC41 – Prepare the commercial aspects of bid and tender offers PC42 – Conclude arrangements for the supply of subcontracts, goods, materials and services PC43 – Forecast the use of project financial resources PC44 – Forecast the project schedule achievement PC47 – Evaluate the information and prepare claim submissions PC48 – Provide commercial support to the agreement of claims

Project Control NVQ – Unit Contents

Unit Reference/Title

Commentary:………………………………………………………

You must be able to:

a) ………..b)………..c) ……….. d) ………..

Scope:

1 ……………2 ……………3 …………..

Knowledge:i) …………….ii) ……………..iii) ……………...iv) ………………

Project Control NVQ – Example UnitUnit: PC 60 – Support the preparation of budgets for the control

of the project

Unit Commentary This unit is concerned with the competence required to support and assist with the preparation of the budgets for resources required to meet the defined project objectives.

You must be able to:

a) Check that the estimated resources are able to meet the needs of specified aspects of the project.

b) Advise those with the authority to initiate corrective actions where inadequacies in the estimated

resources become apparent

c) Use resource estimates, project programmes and work breakdown structures to support the development of budgets.

d) Provide budget information for project cash flow development.

Scope:

People Materials and equipment Facilities Finance and cash Data and data handling systems Services drawn from within the organisation and from outside the organisation

Specific knowledge required for this Unit:

1. An appreciation of time/cost/quality relationships and their influence on the accuracy of project budgets.

2. An appreciation of the meaning of the terms direct costs, indirect costs, contingencies and allowances as applied in the organisation.

3. An appreciation of the relationships between scope definition, achieved through project progress, and the accuracy of the budgets.

4. What budgets need to contain for them to be used effectively for project control and reporting. 5. The importance of budget version control and means of achieving it.

Project Control NVQ Assessment Structure

Candidate Candidate Candidate

Assessor

Internal Verifier

Approved Delivery Centre

Awarding Body

Government Agency QCA

ECITB

Assessment Centres

Assessment Centres

Assessment Centres

Approved Assessment Centres

Typical Profiles of Level 2 Candidate at Start

Qualifications: at GCSE Level or above Trainees/Apprentices in major organisations

- Where Level 3 and Level 4 qualification is being applied, - Who have recently commenced work in a project control functional group

or project team.- Level 2 is a stepping stone as part of career progression in project

control

- Staff in Small to Medium Enterprises - These staff will be supporting a ‘hands on’ role in controlling project

execution from tendering through to delivery. - Level 2 likely to be a stepping stone to Level 3 in Project Control, or to

Level 3 in Supervision.

Staff in major organisations where the Level 4 qualification is being applied who have had two years experience in a project control environment- Working under the supervision of more experienced practitioners- Level 3 is a stepping stone in career progression to more senior roles.

Staff in Small to Medium Enterprises - Will already have a ‘hands on’ or lead role in controlling projects

execution from tendering through to delivery - Level 3 qualification likely to be an end in itself, rather than a stepping

stone to the Level 4 - The more natural progression for such a candidate could well be the

Level 4 Management or Project Management qualifications.

Typical Profiles of Level 3 Candidate at Start

Typical Profiles of Level 4 Candidate at Start

Qualifications : HNC or above Several years as a practitioner in a major organisation One or two years in a position of recognisable authority and responsibility

after achieving Level 3 or equivalent experience Key member of multi-discipline project teams or specialist providing

control services into project teams.

What the Candidates Say

“I found the NVQ an excellent grounding

And think it has helped me

enormously. It was a very practical way

of filling the knowledge gaps, raising

the bar on my ability and giving me an

added sense of confidence and belief in

myself”

Liz Ambrose – Level 4

From Trainee Planning Assistant to ProgrammeControl Manager

“The NVQ made me step out of the

comfort zone as I had to activelyseek more in depth exposure tothese areas such as RiskManagement and Procurement.

I definitely believe this helped meimprove my overall Project Controlknowledge.”

Richard Price – Level 4

From Cost Engineer to Lead Cost Engineermanaging 10 costengineers and 57 projects

What the Candidates Say

What the Candidates Say

“Initially I was unsure how beneficial theNVQ would be in my personaldevelopment and career progression.

It soon became apparent how highlyrecognised the NVQ is, and how itidentified perfectly which areas of skill Ineeded to become a competent PCP.

After 5 years achieving academicqualifications, I appreciate the benefit ofa vocational qualification which allowsme to demonstrate my ability in apractical manner whilst compilingevidence to prove can do the job .

This has given me the motivation andconfidence to continually develop myselfand realise my potential “

Eden Day – Level 3

From Business ServicesGraduate to GraduateProject Controller

Project Control NVQ’s - Progress Since 2006

Registered

Certified

Company - Key measure to resolve shortage of competent project controllers - Growing our own, engagement with the business, building loyalty - Bringing more balance and diversity to the organisation- Skill levels accredited against National Occupational Standards - “Can Do” requirements of NVQ’s prove they can do the job (competence)- Development of rounded Project Controllers (Estimating/Planning/Cost)

rather than single discipline- Project Control apprentices have no baggage so readily learn, accept and apply key

principles and procedures for the “AMEC Way”- Another route to Project Management- Contributes to the building of AMEC’s Project Management Army- Enhanced career development framework and succession planning

Employees- Job satisfaction and security- Formal career path with continued measure of success- Focus on self development- Able to compare oneself with peers- Recognition, Promotion, Reward

What are the Benefits ?