PMP Qualification v APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)

Those are tough questions.

I took the PMP after a decade designing vehicles and industrial equipment with multiple PM certs in both Lean-Six and Agile Scrum.

Rather than simply taking the test, I signed up for what PMI billed as a 40-hour "refresher" bc the course+test was only slightly more expensive than the test alone. Most of the class had no PM experience or certs, many didnt even work in industries that used PM (medical docs and nurses, accountants, military, etc), and the course itself was a low-level intro to Agile Scrum with a tiny bit of Lean mixed in....definitely not a "refresher" for experienced professionals. After the course we had to submit our work/cert/PM experience and PMI decided whether/not we had enough to sit for the PMP, and ~30% of the class were deemed ineligible which made me question PMI's ethics bc those folks weren't told upfront to get other certs/training first. A few weeks later the rest of us took the test and I dont recall anybody failing tho a few were nervous. Personally I thought it was an easy cert, tho admittedly I spent a few hours going through flashcards online before the test. The hardest part IMHO is simply memorizing the jargon.

I have mixed feelings as to whether/not its worthwhile, and as an American I cant comment on UK concerns tho I did work for a German mega-corps previously. IME its a cert that impresses ignorant folks but is just resume padding for engineering roles, similar to a MBA. That said, if you're seeking a role as a dedicated PM then hiring managers may view it as a "must-have."

Good luck regardless.

Similar to what CWB1 said at the end there - the only people I have ever seen who valued a PMP certification were other people who had PMP certs. So it all depends on who you are trying to impress. Would it hurt? No. But its also just another cash grab from a certification group.

thanks for feedback. From what I've seen hiring managers are asking for PMP / AMP - its probably a pain i will just have to bear irrespective if it adds value to me doing the job- much as it frustrates me.

Ive never been involved in Agile or Scrum projects where I work its all direct waterfall type projects. What I'm finding is what said above is learning the jargon not actually running projects.

And as said above I really be-judge paying a certification group which is a cash grab - but practically i don't see I've a choice - where I work now will cease to exist in a 1-2 year period (or most likely) being in my 50's doing an exam is not a fun prospect but its practically i see I've no choice..