New wave of talent for profession as females entering profession outnumber men twofold

Data from the APM Salary and Market Trends Survey 2017 reveals the percentage of female project managers entering the profession is more than double compared to men.

Completed by nearly 6,000 respondents, the survey shows 16 per cent of female respondents at the start of their project management career compared to just seven per cent of male respondents. This is the highest percentage of female respondents with experience of two years or less since the survey began in 2015.

Further insight from the data shows opportunities for diverse and interesting work as the top priority for females, with nearly a quarter (23%) citing it as the most important aspect when choosing a role. In comparison, salary came out top for men (27%).

Both male and female project professionals were agreed on the key competencies needed to succeed, with stakeholder management and communications the most important skill followed by financial management and planning, which also scored highly.

Both agreed they would need to take on new skills in the future.

Commenting on the changing demographic in the survey results, James Driver, APM communications manager, said: “The challenge now is to remove the last of any deep social stereotypes to make way for a new wave of progressive project professionals to deliver beneficial change at all levels of industry and with equal opportunities for all to reach the very top.”

• Read Sue Pritchard’s latest blog Women in leadership of major and complex projects
• Find out more about APM’s Women in Project Management Conference 2017 in London
• Join the WiPM SIG.

Data from the APM Salary and Market Trends Survey 2017 supported by Wellingtone Project Management