Published: 4th February 2020.
Written by Melinda Irvine
If you’re regularly working on a project team and would like to formalise your skills and experience — or even take on a Project Manager’s role — consider the Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB41515). In this article we’ll be taking a deep dive into this hands-on qualification and discussing what you’ll learn in the course, job roles you’ll be qualified for, and entry points into higher education along the same career path.
Course overview
Let’s start with the course itself. Enrol in the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB41515) with an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and you’ll be studying with a qualified trainer who has real-world experience as a project manager.
As part of your studies, you’ll be introduced to PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) standard terminology and guidelines, as you work your way through 9 strategically designed units.
Over 12 months you will learn how to:
- Scope — identify project objectives, deliverables, and outcomes — then apply controls during an active project.
- Time Management - assist with the development of a project schedule — then maintain and monitor the agreed timeframes and project deadlines.
- Quality - apply quality policies and standards to a project — then contribute to ongoing continuous improvement.
- Risk Management — identify and prioritise potential risks during the lifecycle of a project, using international risk-analysis methods, techniques, and tools.
- Cost Management — assist the Project Team develop a project budget — then track project expenses and calculate cost finalisations.
The Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB41515) is delivered using a combination of online tutorials, webinars, Skype and face-to-face sessions. The course is also eligible for government subsidies in some Australian states and territories.
COURSE TIP: Want to increase your employability? People working as leading hands or supervisors in the construction industry often complete a RII40715 Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision in conjunction with this course.
Job roles
The Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB41515) supports a number of job roles, and is even suited to small business owners and operators whose core business involves delivering projects. Graduates could realistically consider the following careers:
Contracts Officer
Contracts Officers work with project committees and liaise with various work teams (eg, technical staff, production crews, accounting staff) to ensure that work carried out (and project payments) are inline with contractual agreements.
Project Administrator
Project Administrators have a similar role to contract officers but also spend a lot of their time collecting data associated with the project, and then reporting project outcomes back to company stakeholders. They are usually responsible for maintaining paperwork and project compliance.
Quality Officer
Quality Officers are responsible for ensuring that products, services, systems and projects meet agreed quality standards. On a project team, the quality officer will be monitoring the quality and customer service standards and this can involve everything from inspecting finished products and installations, to interviewing customers and suppliers.
Small Business Owner (project applications)
Many small business owners, operators, and consultants deliver projects as part of their core business. The list is huge, but as a quick example: event managers, equipment installers (air-conditioning, ICT network hardware), builders and construction managers, landscapers and property developers could all benefit from this qualification.
Career pathways
Graduates of the Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB41515) (who have relevant field experience) might also consider higher education options along the same career path. Examples include:
- Diploma of Project Management (BSB51415) — focus on leadership and achieving project objectives. Qualify as a Project Manager.
- Advanced Diploma of Program Management (BSB61218) — focus on managing multiple projects that drive organisational objectives. Qualify as a Program Manager.
- Bachelor of Project Management — focus on execution, conflict management, and the legal aspects of projects. Qualify for corporate, government and consultancy roles across a range of industries.