PRINCE2 Training and its Global reach

It is well known that the PRINCE2 Certification is an accreditation predominantly targeted towards and consumed by the UK market; unsurprising as it’s origins and roots are firmly grounded in the UK. However, with a rapidly changing industry which is continually becoming more internationally connected, PRINCE2 Training could no longer be confined to the UK market and this is certainly no longer the case.

The 2016 AXELOS PRINCE2 study reports that of 2,434 respondents, 38% were from the UK (62% from the rest of the world). 44% of PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner certification holders are from the UK and 56% from the Rest of the World (RoW). With 74% of qualifications at Practitioner level and 26% at Foundation level. Most respondents are unsurprisingly from the Information Technology sector with the Financial services industry following closely behind.

It is true that the UK, holds the most PRINCE2 certificate holders, more so than any other country. However, if we compare the growth rates of the AXELOS results commentary for Q1 of 2016 in comparison to Q1 of 2015, this may soon change in years to follow.

Taking a look at the AXELOS results commentary, for Quarter 1 of 2016 in comparison to Q1 of 2015, we can note the percentage increase of PRINCE2/PPM exam stats. Europe had an increase of 4%, with North America an impressive 19% increase. The Middle East and Africa follow up with an 11% increase and Asia with a 14% increase. These statistics correlate with the growing IT markets within the respective continents and show encouraging growth prospects for PRINCE2 Training on a global scale.

Interestingly, there was very little difference between the funding of PRINCE2 certification between RoW and the UK. With 51% of qualifications funded by organisations and 41% being self-funded. Of all those who took part, over half of the respondents are from organisations with greater than 500 employees. However, when asked when did you gain the PRINCE2 certification, most of those within the UK had gained the qualification within 10 years of experience whereas RoW noted that their qualifications came after 10 years of experience. This data provides an interesting comparison and could well change as PRINCE2 becomes a standard globally. Encouragingly 30% of the respondents in the AXELOS 2016 PRINCE2 Training report listed being holders of other relevant qualifications (such as ITIL, PMP, MSP Practitioner etc.).

AXELOS were quick to pick up on this change with PRINCE2 2009 currently being available in 19 languages; Mandarin, Czech, Danish and Brazilian Portuguese to name a few. The latest PRINCE2 2017 update, which has only just been implemented, is currently available in English. Dutch, German, Polish, French, Danish, Norwegian and Italian translations in guidance and exams are the next planned translations. These languages have initially been selected as they reflect the current level of demand for PRINCE2. Outside of the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, Poland, Denmark and Germany have an established PRINCE2 presence; furthermore explaining the reasoning behind selecting these languages initially. A more detailed schedule of precisely when these languages will be rolled out is expected to be announced towards the end of 2017.