FAC-P/PM Blueprints - Entry/Apprentice Level

At this level, project managers should have, through training, experience, and other development activities:

  • Knowledge and skills to perform as a project team member
  • Ability to manage low risk and relatively simple projects or to manage more complex projects under direct supervision of a more experienced manager
  • An overall understanding of project management practices, including performance-based acquisition
  • Recognition of an agency's requirements development processes
  • Ability to define and construct various project documents, under supervision
  • Knowledge of and involvement in the definition, initiation, conceptualization or design of project requirements

Training in project management at this level will help to develop the essential interpersonal and management competencies required of high-performing, successful program and project managers.

Coursework Areas
The Project Manager - Entry/Apprentice Level consists of five coursework areas:

  • Basic Acquisition I (minimum of 24 hours)
  • Basic Project Management I (minimum of 24 hours)
  • Leadership and Interpersonal Skills I (minimum of 16 hours)
  • Government Specific I (minimum of 24 hours)
  • Earned Value Management (EVM) and Cost Estimates I (minimum of 24 hours)

There are also prerequisites and requirements for the Project Manager - Entry/Apprentice Level.

Prerequisites and Requirements
Experience at Entry/Apprentice Level: It is recommended that the individual have at least one year of project management experience within the last five years. Project management experience includes:

  • Constructing a work breakdown structure
  • Preparing project analysis documents
  • Tailoring acquisition documents to ensure that quality, effective, efficient systems or products are delivered
  • Analyzing and/or developing requirements
  • Monitoring performance
  • Assisting with quality assurance
  • Creating and monitoring budgets
  • Training Objectives/Core Competencies
  • There are performance-based training objectives and competencies for the Project Manager - Entry/Apprentice Level
  • Certificate Training, which is categorized into the following two distinct groupings.

Coursework area (PDF 281KB), e.g., basic acquisition, basic project management, etc.

  • Basic Acquisition I
  • Basic Project Management I
  • Leadership and Interpersonal Skills I
  • Government Specific I
  • Earned Value Management (EVM) and Cost Estimates I

OR

Process or course of action (PDF 282KB), e.g., management process, systems engineering, etc.

  • Management Process (Entry/Apprentice)
  • Systems Engineering (Entry/Apprentice)
  • Test and Evaluation (T&E) (Entry/Apprentice)
  • Life Cycle Logistics (LCS) (Entry/Apprentice)
  • Contracting (Entry/Apprentice)
  • Business, Cost Estimating and Financial Management (Entry/Apprentice)
  • Leadership/Professional (Entry/Apprentice)

Additional Resources
Corresponding competencies and proficiencies for these coursework areas and processes have been identified to assist in determining what is needed to meet the requirements of the five coursework areas.

Key objectives have been identified that detail the expected performance requirements and areas of responsibilities. Use these objectives and core competencies to build or compare a training program.