The field of project management is being embraced by organizations everywhere as both “strategic” and operationally “necessary”. This emerged both before and during the recent global economic contraction of 2008-2010.

This growing demand for project management has spawned a great increase in the need for project management education, certification and training. This has been driven by a number of considerations:

• The recognition and use of modern project management has spread globally, along with the promotion of more accountability for spending by corporates and governments, in both mature and developing economies.

• The field of “Project management” has expanded and re-branded itself to include the program management and project portfolio management. This arena has also been presented as strategic project management  by some and enterprise project management by others.

• Other broad organizational and business management concepts and topics include project-based and project-oriented organizations, management by projects, project and program management offices. 

• In developing economies, international aid and investment are primarily via programs and projects.

• The increasing use, visibility and popularity of program and project management have followed the increased use of programs and projects in more organizations and   industries worldwide.

The education requirement in Ireland has become a lot more crystalised as the country enters its fourth year of austerity. The market focus is on programmes delivered by proven experts with established track records for excellence,  that offer internationally recognised accreditation. Individuals and organizations when investing in education and training want to be sure that the resulting credentials acquired are transportable and globally recognised. Furthermore, they wish to be able to demonstrate application and not just the acquisition of knowledge.

The widespread promotion and popularity of project management certifications offered by IPMA, PMI and the OGC (UK government) have led to a huge demand for PM training aimed at helping prepare candidates for those examinations and qualifications. This market is led in Ireland by IPMA certified professionals with almost  2,500 planned  by year end 2011.