| Developmental Programme of the Year

This category aims to recognise excellence in the delivery and outcomes/benefits of project management developmental programmes or schemes. This may include (but is not limited to):

• Graduate schemes
• Apprenticeship schemes
• Career development pathways

The category is open to organisations of all kinds, but the programme must be specifically related to educating and developing project, programme and portfolio management skills in their paid or voluntary employees. Entrants can be members or non-members of APM, from both in and outside of the UK.

If this is an established programme, you must be able to demonstrate substantially changes within the last year, highlighting key milestones achieved and implemented.  

Entries should take the form of a 1,000-word statement (in English) addressing the criteria below. In addition, entrants may also submit up to two pieces of supporting evidence which must only include:

• images and/or graphics (no text, just short captions)
• a link to a video no more than 2 minutes in length

Evidence must support information already included in the submission and must not introduce additional elements. Please see further details on the ‘Supporting evidence’ tab of the Awards platform.

View the winner 

Congratulations to our winner

Judges comments
Judges described the programme as highly compelling, with strong evidence across recruitment, delivery, impact, and societal contribution. Delivery is particularly impressive, combining academic accreditation, immersive experiential learning, behavioural development, and real-world application within a complex operational environment. Importantly, the impact is not limited to individual development; it extends to cultural change, lessons learned integration, improved diversity representation in rail, and contribution to professional standards.

Network Rail’s Project Management Graduate Scheme accelerates future project leaders through a two-year, industry-leading development programme. Partnering with Parallel Project Training, a pioneering 15-week Project Management Development Programme is embedded within the Scheme, integrating competency-based learning, the APM Project Management Qualification, and real-world rail scenarios, to increase project management capability development.

Graduates gain practical experience through placements, industry-specific application modules, senior leader engagement, and skills and industry awareness. Inclusive recruitment delivers exceptional diversity outcomes, while evaluation shows high satisfaction, strong pass rates, confident skills application, and rapid progression into leadership roles, leading to strengthened capability across the rail industry.

An undergraduate Project Management Degree Apprenticeship (PMDA) is an exciting work‑based development journey that allows learners to gain high‑level knowledge while building real experience in one of the most complex and exciting engineering environments in the UK. Learning is contextualised within the workplace and can be applied immediately; accelerating growth and strengthening the professional behaviours expected of project managers.

Babcock International and the University of Plymouth blend academic study with hands‑on application, creating a powerful developmental or entry pathway. This boosts confidence, deepens expertise and enables individuals to make a meaningful impact in their roles from day one.