Choosing the right project management course can shape not just your next job, but your entire career trajectory. Whether you’re moving into project management for the first time or want to formalise years of experience with a respected qualification, the course needs to be more than just a slide deck of project management theory. It should give you confidence, clarity and skills you can use immediately in your role.
That’s why the most important factor when comparing training providers is the people teaching you. Some providers hire instructors who have simply been trained to deliver a syllabus. They can guide you through the theory, but they can’t tell you what actually happens when a deadline slips, when stakeholders push back or when risk becomes reality.
The most impactful learning comes from trainers who have lived and breathed project delivery. When you’re taught by project managers, not just trainers, every lesson is under-pinned by real-world experience. Concepts are backed up by real case studies, examples and practical insight you can’t learn from a study guide alone.
Some of Our Highly-Skilled Project Management Trainers
Ruth Phillips
Ruth is an award-winning programme and project management professional with over 25 years of experience in leading strategic change initiatives.
Lisa Regan
Lisa is a dedicated project management training consultant with a strong academic background and over 15 years of practical project experience across diverse sectors.
Carmen Campos Castellanos
Carmen is a highly skilled project management consultant with a robust background in industrial engineering and extensive experience managing complex projects.
Variety of Study Materials
Yet, study materials matter too – perhaps more than many delegates realise. Good courses don’t rely on generic textbook extracts. As one of the best training course providers in the UK, Parallel Project Training invest in original content created by our project management experts such as videos, podcasts and study guides.
Our learning experiences are designed for everyone, whether you learn by watching, listening or doing. Our inclusive and varied study formats mean you’re supported rather than overwhelmed because we are with you all the way.
Real-World Experience and Examples
And while passing an exam matters, the real return on investment comes from your ability to apply what you’ve learned on a real project. That’s why we embed real-world examples into every module through case studies, breakout discussions, simulations and practical exercises mirroring day-to-day professional challenges. It means you don’t just know how to manage a project better, you can do it better.
High Pass Rates & Strong Learner Feedback
Another way to identify the best project management training provider is to focus on results and learner feedback. A trusted training provider such as Parallel Project Training works with individuals and with companies of every size, including global Fortune 500 companies, delivering bespoke and standard courses and results that people and organisations rely on. And our results speak for themselves:
The Parallel average pass rate for the latest format for the APM PMQ exam is 71%.
Some groups of learners in 2024 and 2025 achieved significantly higher and we’re extremely proud of pass rates of 77%, 83% and 100% among some cohorts.
Note that the APM does not release a national average pass rate for the current format of the APM PMQ exam, because there is a different pass mark for each exam based on its level of difficulty.
Independent analysis of course feedback by CourseCheck gives Parallel an overall “excellent” rating with the feedback summarised as follows:
- Comprehensive and Useful Materials: The study guide was comprehensive and well-structured with clarity in linking project management topics and helping outline processes for project work. Participants valued the variety of resources available, such as podcasts, chatbots and online portals, for both revision and self-directed learning.
- Interactive Elements and Engaging Sessions: The sessions that included interactive elements, such as small-group discussions and breakout activities, were very popular. Trainers used engaging presentation styles, which made complex topics interesting and relatable through real-world examples. This approach made it easier to retain learning retention and maintain attention during sessions.
- Flexibility and Structure: The ability to structure the course over time (e.g., one-day per weekacross several weeks) was useful for balancing study time with work responsibilities. The hybrid approach of combining in-person and online sessions also received positive feedback, allowing participants to engage face-to-face without excessive travel commitments.
- Supportive Tools: The use of AI tools such as Parallel’s custom GPT (a bespoke version of ChatGPT to help practice APM PMQ exam questions) had positive feedback. As did the comprehensive range of materials available via Moodle which enhanced learning and preparation for exams.
Why APM Qualifications Matter
For many professionals in the UK (and increasingly worldwide), APM qualifications are the gold standard for career development in project management. They don’t just test knowledge; they build the competencies employers value most: planning, governance, risk, leadership, stakeholder engagement and delivery.
Among these, the APM Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ) is widely recognised by organisations across industries and is one of the most powerful ways to formalise experience and demonstrate project leadership capability. A strong APM PMQ course should:
- Prepare you not just to pass the exam, but to think like a project manager
- Offer expert trainers who can connect the syllabus to real project scenarios
- Provide high-quality study resources built specifically around the APM Body of Knowledge
- Build confidence through practical exercises aligned to real-world project delivery
The PMQ qualification builds immediately usable competence while unlocking longer-term career opportunities, PMQ is one of the most strategic choices you can make.
Bespoke Project Management Training for When One Size Doesn’t Fit All
While formal APM qualifications are ideal for many professionals, organisations sometimes need something more customised. That’s where bespoke project management training comes in that can be tailored to a company’s processes, tools, frameworks and culture. Whether the aim is to upskill a team, align delivery methods or support a major transformation project, tailored training can target exactly what a business needs to improve project delivery.
As one of the best project management training providers in the UK we offer both structured APM qualifications such as PFQ and PMQ and organisation-specific project management programmes built around real challenges and real outcomes.
Why Choose Parallel?
Because we combine everything that makes project management training genuinely effective:
Proven results
Consistently high pass rates and excellent learner feedback across all course types.
Trusted provider
Individuals, SMEs and global Fortune 500 companies rely on our training to deliver results.
Original content
High-quality podcasts, study guides and materials produced in-house by our expert trainers.
Real-world applicability
Practical exercises and case studies to build workplace-ready skills.
Taught by project managers
Every course is led by experts who turn theory into practical experience.
Inclusive learning formats
Our diverse training formats support every style of learning.
Your Next Step
Whether you’re planning to take APM PMQ, exploring APM’s qualification pathway, or looking for bespoke project management training for your organisation, the right provider makes all the difference – not only in exam outcomes, but in the way you work, lead and deliver projects long after the course ends.
The quality of the actual trainers makes all the difference, as you point out. Especially, when experienced project managers are studying for qualifications. They need trainers who understand their real challenges and can guide them to workable solutions.
I could not agree more, experienced trainers make all the difference. Thats why we are so proud of our training team: https://dev1.parallelprojecttraining.com/trainers/
Great read, really helpful guide!
Really great read, and very helpful guide.