ECITB Project controls training and qualifications

If you are looking to develop in-house capability to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to effectively estimate, plan, schedule and control your projects then, the ECITB, has supported companies to put in place a career progression, training, upskilling and professional recognition framework which helps achieve this.

Ideal for upskilling your existing team, growing in-house talent and building capability from trainee to senior management, integrating this framework, ECITB training, qualifications and apprenticeship standards into your in-house staff development will help to nurture talent and provide a pathway for future growth – supporting you to attract and retain estimating, planning, scheduling, project and cost control expertise.

Approved ECITB training providers that are currently licensed to deliver ECITB training courses are: 20/20 Project Management, Go Forth, Kingsfield Academy and Project Control Solutions

Approved ECITB assessment centres that are approved to award the project controls qualifications (RQF) can be found using the search on this website. Several are able to talk to you about delivery of the L3 apprentice standard and, currently, two deliver the L6 Project Controls Professional apprentice standard.

ECITB project control qualifications and courses

The ECITB works closely with industry and employers to develop ECITB training products to provide a clear  career entry and progression path from technician to professional project controller, estimator, planner, scheduler or cost engineer.

This includes development of the relevant technical expertise, alongside the vital requirement for our future project controls leaders to have an understanding of the wider context in which they operate, have excellent communication skills and the ability to apply their skills to governance, continuous improvement, data analytics and the drive towards carbon reduction and environmental sustainability.

Specific project controls training courses and qualifications include: training courses, ECITB qualifications and Apprenticeship standards

Career progression, training, upskilling and professional recognition framework:

Project control career entry, training and professional recognition pathway
0-5 Years 5-10 Years 10 Years +
  • From trainee or graduate to:
  • project controller
  • estimator
  • planner/scheduler
  • cost engineer
  • Project control manager
  • Estimating lead
  • Planning or scheduling lead
  • Cost engineering lead
  • Head of project controls
  • Chartered

This is training that is appropriate for: trainees, graduates, project controllers, estimators, planners/schedulers and cost engineers. All training is available through ECITB approved training providers via virtual or face-to-face or blended delivery options.

There are several short courses, longer courses and qualifications and these are summarised in the tables below.

ECITB short courses*

ECITB Short course summary ECITB Short course summary
Image from leaflet about the Intro to PC course Introduction to project control (3 days)

Ideal for those looking for insight into the fundamentals of project control including estimating, planning, scheduling, cost engineering, risk, information management and communication.

Image from leaflet about the estimating course Estimating methodology & practice (3 days)

Comprehensive training on estimating techniques, including theory and putting the methods into practice with practical exercises throughout.

Image from leaflet about the ECITB risk course Managing risk as part of a project (1 day)

An introduction to risk terminology, the risk management process, the practical implementation of a risk management plan, and the tools and techniques used in good practice risk management.

Image from leaflet about the ECITB document managers course Project document managers (2 days)

The principles of project document management: ensuring transferability across a company and the supply chain; understanding requirements; setting up processes; and leading the document management function.

Longer ECITB courses and qualifications

Type of course Summary information
ECITB course (9 months) ECITB Certificate in Project Controls is a comprehensive programme covering all aspects of project controls, estimating, planning, scheduling, risk etc. Learners are taught through a blend of classroom workshops (online or face to face), assessments and simulated project work over a period of 9 months.
ECITB qualification ECITB Diploma in project control practice and techniques (RQF), level 3 (England), (equivalent to level 6 in Scotland, SCQF)
ECITB qualification ECITB Diploma in advanced project control practice and techniques with pathways in estimating, planning and scheduling, cost engineering and integrated project controls practice, level 6 (England) (equivalent to level 10 in Scotland SCQF).
Apprenticeship standard Project controls technician apprenticeship standard, level 3 (equivalent to level 6 in Scotland)
Apprenticeship standard Project controls professional apprenticeship standard, level 6 (equivalent to level 10 in Scotland) 

ECITB approved training provider short courses**

Several ECITB approved training providers have licences to develop bespoke training courses that meet industry-agreed training standards. There are ECITB training standards for a range of skills across the project control disciplines (click here for the list). These courses are approved by the ECITB as meeting the needs of engineering construction companies, courses available are (this is updated quarterly and is up to date February 2022).

From 20/20: Project planning and practice (3 days) : This course is designed to provide a broad level of knowledge, giving existing or aspiring planning and scheduling professionals all the information, they need to have confidence in approaching the requirements of their role.

From Kingsfield Academy:

Applied risk management (1 day): Applied Risk Management introduces the principles of risk management and the effective implementation of these in engineering and construction projects. This is not a course about another risk tool or piece of software, rather more an inquiry into the deployed efficacy of such items.

Competitive tendering (1 day): An ECITB approved course for engineering construction project professionals responsible for winning contracts through improved strategy and positioning activities, and increasing bid-winning opportunities through enhanced proposal management.

Contracts for engineers (1 day): A pragmatic view of pre and post contract essentials for engineers involved with engineering, procurement and construction projects of any size.

Once established in a role and playing a crucial part in ensuring the successful delivery of complex projects to time and on budget through estimating, defining and planning costs, schedules, resources and quality needed whilst taking technical, risk and commercial requirements into consideration and then monitoring the costs and progress throughout the delivery phase and making recommendations for improvements or recovery.  Then it is possible to build evidence of this work and the skills demonstrated – this is a good time to look to undertake the following qualifications:

Professional registration – an individual may wish to consider gaining professional recognitions through the ACostE and/or as an Engineering Technician.

Once skilled in project controls practice and techniques the next progression may be into management and there is training available in management practice and techniques. Those wishing to progress further in terms of being a specialist in estimating, planning/scheduling or cost engineering there may be Masters courses available.

There is also the option of becoming Chartered – a Chartered engineer (through ACostE) or, if you wish to move in to project management there are options for project management training and chartership.