The Project Management Leadership Academy (PMLA) is a 10-week program specially developed for public sector professionals who wish to develop and grow critical project management leadership skills. Due to the rigor associated with this academy, it is helpful to possess at least one year working directly or indirectly in a project management role.

While the PMLA welcomes applications from all candidates, those considered most ideal fall within one of the following categories:

• Those who are currently working as project managers but are newer to this career field and wish to enrich their skills in this area;
• Those whose primary job is not project management, but who manage projects on an informal basis or function in a support role;
• Those who wish to enter the project management career path or who simply want to strengthen their foundational skillset in project management; or
• Those who have private sector experience in project management but are new to the state’s unique practices.

As a result, students should anticipate a mixture of levels, abilities, and experience within their cohort.

Like the field of project management, the PMLA continues to grow, evolve, and improve. To better serve the state’s growing project management workforce, the following adjustments have been made to this year’s program:

1. The 5-day PM Foundations class traditionally offered through UC Davis Extension will no longer be offered as part of the PMLA. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that students have completed this course (or a foundational course equivalent in project management concepts) prior to the start of the PMLA. To accommodate those who want/need to complete this course, the Department of Technology (CDT) anticipates offering an additional session in late April/early May via open registration, pending instructor availability. To register for the class, visit our Course Schedule for upcoming training dates, or contact Training@state.ca.gov. Students who forego completing any foundational coursework do so with the understanding that the program curriculum frequently weaves in concepts based on this framework and assumes a certain level of student knowledge and understanding.
2. The number of classes required to attend per week has been reduced; when feasible and practical, class sessions will be delivered in half-day increments to allow more opportunities for students to participate in activities associated with their Project Management Experience (outlined in more detail below); however, students should still anticipate that some classes will require full-day attendance.
3. Academy commitment has been extended from eight weeks to ten weeks to decrease the number of classes per week and allow students more time to participate in their Project Management Experience.

The program cost is $4,400 per participant.

This cost does not include a 17% cost distribution fee charged by the Department of Technology (CDT) which is our standard practice and will be included in the direct billing to the student’s department. For more detailed information regarding this additional charge, please see CDT’s Service Rates webpage.

PMLA participants will develop their project management skills through formal classroom training led by certified trainers and subject matter experts in project management. In addition, students will benefit from the shared experiences of their fellow students throughout the academy.

In addition, each academy class also has one or two carefully selected Program Coach(es) who is/are highly experienced in the field of project management. PMLA Coaches attend class sessions, share their leadership and project management best practices, challenges, and lessons learned, and provide guidance and support to students during the program.

Due to continued student interest in completing our training academies primarily using a remote platform, most class sessions for the 2023 program will be conducted online using Zoom. However, due to the high value associated with completing certain courses in-person, students should anticipate attending a few sessions in-person at the CDT’s Training and Education Center (TEC), located in Rancho Cordova, CA.  Classes scheduled to be in-person are Getting to Know You, Leadership for Project Managers, Business Chemistry, and the PMLA graduation. In-person sessions are subject to change, if needed.

It is important to note that while CDT always encourages non-local (outside the Sacramento area) students to apply for the PMLA, the expectation is that all students should make arrangements to attend in-person classes regardless of location. To assist with planning, the PMLA 2023 Program Schedule and Calendar will be provided to all students accepted into this year’s program for careful review before formally committing to the program and will identify which sessions will be conducted online versus in-person only so appropriate arrangements can be made.

All PMLA students are expected to actively participate in the academy’s “Project Management Experience” component. Each student will be paired with a highly experienced project manager and will then shadow and/or meet with that individual for at least one hour per week over the course of the academy (10 – 12 hours on average). Based on a preliminary skills assessment the student will complete, the assigned project manager will use this information to determine what experiences will provide the most value, such as shadowing specific meetings, providing advice/insight regarding areas of project management where the student is less experienced, and sharing tacit knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices gained over the project manager’s career. It is important to note that this component is expected to take place outside of class time and can either occur virtually, in person, or a combination of both, based on the student and project manager’s availability and comfort level.

The PMLA provides many opportunities for students to grow professionally through networking with fellow students and through curriculum focused on the specific needs of public sector’s project management workforce. Through shared experiences, challenges, and departmental best practices, students learn from one another and gain valuable knowledge, skills, and abilities they can implement within their departments.  

The PMLA application period is now closed.

Please contact the Office of Professional Development for questions and further information at OPD@state.ca.gov.

What is the cost for the 2023 PMLA?

The cost for the 2023 PMLA is $4,400 per student and is paid for by their department/agency.

This cost does not include a 17% cost distribution fee charged by the Department of Technology (CDT) which is our standard practice and will be included in the direct billing to the student’s department. For more detailed information regarding this additional charge, please see CDT’s Service Rates webpage.

When does the 2023 PMLA start and end?

The 2023 PMLA takes place from May 11 – July 20, 2023.

What level of expertise and experience are you seeking from a candidate?

While the PMLA welcomes applications from all candidates who have a desire to enrich their project management skills, ideal candidates are project managers and project support personnel who are newer to this role (e.g., test managers, business analysts, contract managers). Due to the rigor associated with this academy, it is helpful to possess at least one year working directly or indirectly in a project management role, but candidates need not be highly experienced to be successful.

Staff who wish to enter this career path or who simply want to strengthen their foundational skillset in project management are also welcomed to apply. In addition, candidates who have private sector experience in project management but who are new to the state’s unique practices are also ideal candidates for this academy. As a result, students should anticipate a mixture of levels, abilities and experience within their cohort.

What is the time commitment required for this academy?

Students should expect to attend sessions three days per week, on average. In addition to class sessions, students will be expected to commit to meeting with their assigned project manager for at least one hour per week outside of class time throughout the program.

How will class sessions be conducted, and what are the technical requirements for attending?

Due to continued student interest in completing our training academies primarily using a remote platform most of the class sessions for the 2023 program will be conducted online using Zoom. However, due to the high value associated with completing certain courses in person, students should anticipate attending a few sessions in-person at the CDT’s Training and Education Center (TEC), located in Rancho Cordova, CA. Classes scheduled to be in-person are Getting to Know You, Leadership for Project Managers, Business Chemistry, and the PMLA graduation. In-person sessions are subject to change if needed.

It is important to note that while CDT always encourages non-local students to apply for the PMLA, the expectation is that all students should make arrangements to attend in-person classes regardless of location. To assist with planning, the PMLA 2023 Program Schedule and Calendar will be provided to all students accepted into this year’s program for careful review before formally committing to the program and will identify which sessions will be conducted online versus in-person so appropriate arrangements can be made.

The PMLA will be using Microsoft Teams to house all program-related documents and Zoom will be the primary delivery medium for all remote class sessions. Students must be able to access these platforms. In addition, students are expected to possess a fully functioning camera and microphone so they can actively participate in class sessions.

What are the core hours for the academy?

Core hours for the PMLA are 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., whether remotely or in-person. To verify connectivity, virtual/hybrid class sessions will be open at 8:30 a.m. Students are encouraged to log in to sessions early to network and chat with one another.

How many candidates will be accepted into the program?

With only 22 spots in the program, the application process is highly competitive. Student selection is based on the quality and thoughtfulness of application responses. Therefore, before submitting their application, students should carefully craft and review their answers to ensure they thoroughly address each question.

What specific topics are covered in the curriculum, and how in depth is the training?

The course topics have been carefully selected to provide a meaningful blend of both technical and soft skills critical for the public sector’s project management workforce. Below is a tentative course listing for the 2023 program. Please note that course topics may be subject to change and that circumstances beyond our control may require adjustments to the program schedule. In addition, it is important to note that refunds will not be provided after the onset of the program (see below for further details on our refund policy).

• • *Getting to Know You
  • *Leadership for Project Managers
  • The State’s Budget Process
  • Budget Change Proposal (BCP) Workshop
  • The Role of Control Agencies
  • Top Project Challenges (The Dirty Dozen)
  • Organizational Change Management for Project Managers
  • *Business Chemistry
  • Managing Up
  • Effective Meeting Facilitation
  • Enterprise Communications
  • Building High Performance Teams
  • IT Project/Budget Timeline
  • Governance
  • Agile Essentials
  • Project Planning and Procurement
  • Contract and Vendor Management
  • Presentation Skills
  • Conflict Resolution and Communication Skills for Project Managers
  • *PMLA Graduation

*These sessions will be conducted in-person only; students are expected to make arrangements to attend.

Do I have to attend all the training sessions to remain in the academy?

The PMLA covers a great deal of curriculum within its 10-week program and attendance is mandatory; however, students are allowed three absences. Students who exceed this limit will be withdrawn from the program, and there are no make-up sessions for missed classes. Therefore, candidates who have vacations or other planned time off during the academy that will significantly interfere with their attendance are encouraged to apply to a future academy that will not have conflicting dates.

In addition, before applying, it is strongly recommended that interested candidates have a frank conversation with their immediate supervisor about the commitment level associated with this academy and the possibility that their workload may need to be redistributed if accepted.

If I drop out of the academy after it starts or if I am withdrawn due to excessive absences, will my department receive a refund?

Students who wish to drop out must do so no later than ten business days before the academy’s start date or your department will be charged the full program amount. Those who drop from the academy less than ten days from the program start date, or who are withdrawn due to excessive absences, will also incur charges to their department for the full amount of the program.

Where do I direct my questions?

Please contact the Office of Professional Development for questions and further information at OPD@state.ca.gov.