Project management is a vital skill for any student looking to start or further their career. So, it’s no surprise that many students study project management in Canada. But why? Is Canada such a great place for project management education? Go ahead and find out!
What is Project Management?
Project management uses processes, methods, skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve project goals under accepted criteria within set parameters. Project managers are instructed to break down large projects into smaller, more manageable chunks that can be independently carried out. You must acquire the necessary skills to plan, organize, schedule, and manage projects of varying sizes and scopes across various industries and market segments.
One of the primary aspects differentiating project management from average management practices is the presence of a feedback loop and tangible goal. This finite timespan associated with projects requires workers to have diverse skills, including people management, technical abilities, and business acumen.
A study undertaken by the Project Management Institute found that:
In 2020, poor performance and management caused businesses to waste 11.4% of every dollar invested in projects.
Businesses can prevent wasteful spending and workflow errors by prioritizing using efficient project management methods and frameworks. This allows businesses to improve their workflows proactively and continuously. Successful businesses rely heavily on effective project management to keep their operations effective and productive in these times of rapid change.
Why Project Management?
Project management is one of the most important roles in an organization. There are many misconceptions about this role. The proper division of project management roles to separate individuals will lead to the excellent functioning of the organization.
The project managers ensure that all the other employees, clients, and teams are on the same page as the management. The role of a project manager has not confined to just delivering a project on time but also ensuring all the duties are completed.
The project manager is the team leader who is responsible for the complete functioning of an organization. They have essential and effective duties:
- Designing focused goals & objectives to be followed
- Leading the teams into the final goal
- Focused on finishing a project on time and under the given budget as well
With the help of a project manager, the organization can fulfill its goal perfectly on the decided time and most importantly on the given budget.
Why Project Management in Canada?
In addition, Canada has a strong economy and a thriving business environment. Project managers can find plenty of job opportunities here once they graduate. Canada is known for its strong safety and security standards, which makes it an ideal place to live and work.
If you’re interested in studying Project Management in Canada, read further.
Canadian universities offer world-renowned project management programs that prepare students for successful careers in this growing field. Project management is a critical skill for any industry, and Canada is home to some of the world’s top companies in this field.
The field of project management is highly sought after because of its promising employment prospects and rising salary potential. Canada is home to some of the world’s leading academic institutions that provide training in the relevant field. A degree in Project Management teaches management skills and organizational abilities, as one might guess from the name of the degree.
How to enroll in a Project Management study in Canada?
Check out the criteria to enroll in project management courses in Canada.
- To enroll in project management courses in Canada, a student must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. International students should also have IELTS scores of 6.5 to 7.0.
- LORs, SOPs/personal essays, and other documents may also be used to improve your application package based on the institution’s requirements.
- To practice in Canada, you must first obtain professional certifications like the PMP and pass the PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER (PE) examination. It also raises your chances of obtaining employment opportunities.
Defining the Project Management Program’s Duration in Canada.
Project management courses in Canada generally take 1-2 years to complete. They are offered as a graduate certificate, diploma, or master’s degree at most Canadian universities.
Scope of Work in Canada
The scope of project management in Canada is excellent.
Apart from providing financial assistance, Canada also provides lucrative employment prospects to individuals who enroll in project management programs. After completing project management courses in Canada, students can work in many industries and sectors.
In Canada, the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is recognized worldwide to verify expertise and understanding of project management as per global standards and procedures. The certification is in vital demand since it is said to provide a 20% boost in pay compared to a non-certified counterpart.
Several businesses prefer to have qualified Project Managers, such as banking and insurance, automobiles, telecommunications, IT, media, education, and government. Since certification in Master’s in Project management is required for these positions, the salary is often high.
The average initial salary is $38,000 to $56,000 annually. With experience and the right cerftification credentials, that number can jump to between $85,000 and $120,000. It all depends on the job and company you want to work for.
Here are some of the most frequent job positions for students who have completed their master’s degree in project management. Depending on the sector, a Project Manager’s duties may vary greatly.
Below are some examples of common positions and their industries:
| Position | Approx. Package |
|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | CAD 46000 (INR 27 lakh) |
| Project Administrator | CAD 45000 (INR 27 lakh) |
| Project Manager Marketing | CAD 63000 (INR 37 lakh) |
| Program Project Manager | CAD 74000 (INR 43 lakh) |
| Project manager | CAD 75000 (INR 44 lakh) |
| Project Management Construction | CAD 83000 (INR 49 lakh) |
| Production Superintendent | CAD 93000 (INR 55 lakh) |
Types of Project Management Courses in Canada
Let us now understand the most common forms of project management courses. Several of the most common types are:
Masters
A highly demanding postgraduate program in Project Management. It aims to teach students how to handle short and long-term projects by putting theoretical ideas into practice through instructional tasks and exercises.
This course emphasizes each element of project management, from cost and risk estimation and budget control through conflict resolution to project evaluation. It also explains how project managers may adapt to a changing business climate.
Graduate Diploma/Graduate Certificate
If you’re interested in studying Project Management, know that this is one of the most popular courses in Canada. You have the option of receiving a graduate diploma or certificate, which would be perfect if you want to gain more knowledge or advance your career prospects.
This course focuses on more business-related topics and provides a solid foundation in Project Management. It frequently includes a Project Management certification as part of the curriculum.
List of Universities offering Project Management Courses in Canada
There are two main types of Project Management degrees in Canada:
- Graduate certificates and
- Diplomas
In addition to these degree programs, graduate certificates and diploma project management courses are also available in Canada.
The diploma or certificate are short-term courses in Canada that last for one year on average. The following table contains a selection of graduate diploma and certificate programs in project management taught at various institutions:
| University/ College | Study Level | Program Fee (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Durham College | Certificate | 15,209 |
| Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology | Certificate | 16,468.03 |
| Fanshawe College | Certificate | 16,727.30 |
| Humber College | Certificate | 17,027 |
| Sault College | Certificate | 17,476.40 |
| University of Ottawa | Diploma (Technology Project Management) | 18,723.42 |
| University of Winnipeg | Diploma | 19,315 |
| Sheridan College | Certificate | 20,648 |
| Centennial College | Certificate | 21,014.00 |
| Vancouver Island University | Diploma | 22,513.64 |
Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
The Project Management certification is globally recognized and attested to those with great experience managing and executing projects. This industry-accepted certification provides validation for managers, which frequently leads to increased salary or recognition.
The Cost of Studying for Project Management in Canada
The cost of study varies from:
- Graduate, certificate, and diploma courses – CAD 15,209 to 22,514 (INR 8,78,377 to 13,00,269).
- Postgraduate project management courses – CAD 17,904 to CAD 42,113 (INR 10,34,024 to 24,32,186) for full-time study.
With the short-term courses, you will be able to gain access to a Canadian PR in no time!
