Skip to content
ApplySafer

How to become a project support officer or project coordinator

Project support officers and coordinators help project managers run projects — keeping plans, schedules, budgets, risk logs and reports up to date, and organising meetings and documents.

You could work in almost any sector, often in a PMO (project management office) or alongside a project team.

It is a common first step towards project management. There is no licence; APM's entry-level Project Fundamentals Qualification needs no prior experience.

  • Entry route into projects
  • No licence needed
  • Earn while learning possible

2 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AApprenticeship

    Associate project manager apprenticeship (Level 4)

    For school or college leavers who want to start in project support with training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • The National Careers Service says higher apprenticeships usually ask for 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent
    • Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for an Associate project manager apprenticeship
    2. Support project teams with plans, schedules, risks and reports
    3. Your employer and the government pay for the training
    4. Complete the end-point assessment
    5. Work as a project support officer or coordinator, or move towards project management
    Estimated duration
    About 18 months
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Associate project manager (Level 4) at 18 months. Its job titles include project support.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £7,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BCareer change

    Admin or team role, then the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification

    For people in admin, coordinator or office roles — or changing career — who want to move into project support.

    Starting requirements

    • Organisational, administration or coordination experience helps — employers decide what counts
    • APM's Project Fundamentals Qualification needs no prior knowledge or experience
    • Employers set their own requirements

    Pathway outline

    1. Build organising and admin experience
    2. Take APM's Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ)
    3. Apply for project support, coordinator or PMO roles
    4. Learn project tools and methods on the job
    5. You could go on to APM's PMQ and project management
    Estimated duration
    Varies — the PFQ itself is a one-hour exam
    How we estimate this

    APM's PFQ is a one-hour exam with no entry requirements; how long you study and how soon you move into project support vary. 1 month is shown only as the shortest possible time, not a typical one.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £260 to £278Plus: APM lists courses from accredited providers, each setting its own price; self-study with the open online exam is also possiblePaid up front by you: At least £260 to £278Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    You keep earning throughout.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Related careers — not the same as a project support officer or coordinator

Each of these is a separate career with its own entry rules.

Questions people ask

Why is there no salary figure?

The National Careers Service has no profile for this role, and we only show salary figures from official guides. Pay is set by the employer and must be at least the National Minimum Wage for your age.

Is project support a route into project management?

Yes, it can be. The National Careers Service says you may be able to become a project manager after working in project support, taking qualifications on the job.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

Compare routes side by side