Collaboration between academia and industry key to project profession’s future, according to APM

Academia and industry have a collective responsibility to address one of the biggest barriers to successful project delivery, according to the Association for Project Management (APM).

A survey of 1,000 project professionals in the UK revealed that one-in-five (21%) say inability to attract new project talent is the main barrier to their organisation developing its ability to deliver projects.

Furthermore, nearly a third (32%) say creating new routes into the profession is the main way in which the project profession needs to change over the next five years.

This represents an opportunity for leaders in project delivery, business and higher education to work together to bridge the project skills gap and make sure those joining the project profession are properly prepared.

APM is driving this conversation at its upcoming Higher Education and Fellows Forum Conference, taking place on 17 March 2026 in Liverpool. The event will bring together students, higher education institutions, APM Fellows and APM Corporate Partners to focus on a single, shared challenge: how to better equip the next generation of project professionals for the realities of the profession.

APM’s Member Engagement and Advocacy Manager, Chontell Braceland, said: “Securing the future of the project profession requires a clear understanding of skills gaps and a deliberate alignment between industry needs and academic development. As projects grow in complexity, pace and societal impact, the need for project professionals who are both technically capable and industry-ready has never been greater. That future is shaped long before a first job title is secured; it starts in the classroom, through meaningful exposure to industry, and through relationships built with those already practising at the highest level.

“At APM, we believe that closing the gap between academia and industry is not optional, it is essential. It requires collaboration, shared ownership and spaces where students, educators and practitioners can learn from one another.”

The event will facilitate honest dialogue about skills, expectations and readiness of those entering the project profession. Through presentations, panel discussions and collaborative workshops, participants will explore how course design can be adapted, how industry expectations are changing, and what “good” really looks like when students transition into professional environments.

For example:

• Two years ago, just 36% of project professionals said their organisation was using AI. Today it's 70%.
• Graduate/entry level project professionals rate ‘benefits management’ as the most important skill for successful project delivery, whereas senior managers feel it’s stakeholder engagement.
• A year ago, business leaders said having the correct competences at leadership level was the most important factor for successfully delivering change. Today it's having the right tools/technology.

'A shared investment in what comes next'

The event creates dedicated space for coaching, networking and shared learning. Attendees will gain expert insight into the value of professional networks and practical guidance on how to build and sustain them effectively, informed by years of collective experience.

Student attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in a hands-on project simulation, tackling a complex brief in a supportive environment, guided by experienced practitioners.

By bringing academia, industry and the profession into the same room, APM is actively supporting a stronger, more connected talent pipeline.

Chontell added: “Events like this are not just about knowledge sharing, they are about influencing, mentoring and shaping the future of the profession together.

“Whether you're an educator designing curricula, a Fellow looking to give back, an employer developing future capability, or a student preparing to enter the profession, this event represents a shared investment in what comes next.”

Book your place here if you’d like to attend the APM Higher Education and Fellows Forum Conference, on 17 March in Liverpool.