As Malaysia’s construction sector continues to grow, the need for capable professionals such as project planners is in high demand. With that said, now is a great time to take advantage of that demand and begin your career as a project planner in the construction sector.

As a project planner, you will be responsible for overseeing construction projects from inception to completion. Such responsibility includes keeping track of the progress and status of all parties involved in the construction. It will also be your duty to ensure that stakeholders and division heads stay updated on all project ongoings.

The CAPM certification requires you to have a secondary degree and 23 hours of project management education. An individual may qualify for Project Management Certification by completing Project Management Essentials, which satisfies the requirement of 23 hours of project management education.

The PMP Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, offers these two certifications. They also have centres in Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya.

In many cases, the role of a project planner is synonymous with that of a project manager. Both require the same skill sets and certifications. More often than not, construction companies in Malaysia will search for a project manager who can accomplish the tasks and responsibilities.

While the manager is usually more focused on the big picture and the planner on the finer details, both work very closely together throughout the project’s entirety. Keep in mind that when searching for career opportunities, project planner and project manager is usually within the same skillset. Just be sure to check the job description to see if you fit them all.

Most apprenticeships gear towards the more general field of project management. Such on-site training provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge, even if you are more focused on getting into construction planning.

Apprenticeships give you accreditation and project qualifications upon the completion of the programme. More importantly, you will learn from top specialists in your desired field, which allows you to build valuable work experience. On top of that, you also are earning a wage.

One thing to consider when going into an apprenticeship programme in the sector. Specifically, for construction, it would be best to look into programmes that fall under corporate engineering. Doing so will allow you to work directly with a construction project team on engineering projects relevant to starting a project planning career. Such experience will lay the groundwork for you to understand the working culture, work processes, and job expectations in the construction industry.

Beginning your apprenticeship will have you starting as an Associate Project Manager Apprentice. The job title may also be known as the junior project manager or the project leader (both synonymous with project planner in terms of the skills and knowledge you will gain). Programmes like these will earn you a Level 4, equivalent to an HNC (Higher National Certification). Usually, apprenticeships last 24 months, and individual employers will set their specific requirements in advertising apprentice jobs.

After completing your apprenticeship, you can continue building on your skill and knowledge by formally applying for a job, taking up further courses, or aiming for a degree.

Courses are offered in-person or via online sessions and usually take up from two to three days to complete. Generally, all institutes providing these courses follow the same module guidelines. Meaning you are sure to get the best without having to worry that you will miss something when deciding one over the other.

To gain a degree, you can move on from a Level 4 Junior Apprenticeship to a Level 6 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship. Doing so will see you take on more responsibility, giving you a broader perspective of the profession. As the Associate Apprentice, your job will require you to improve processes and implement changes so that the project or company can accomplish tasks more efficiently and effectively.

Upon completion of this, you will have gained a BS or BSc Honours Degree. These apprenticeships take about four years to complete. You can also expect to earn an IPMA (International Project Management Association) Level D qualification while completing your internship.

In recent years, both the government and private sector have invested in the construction sector of Malaysia. In terms of government, they have introduced a plan to improve the industry by formalising industry standards.

This plan also aims to improve sustainability and promote the latest technology to boost productivity and competitiveness. The infrastructure sector is currently seeing large-scale transport projects and affordable housing schemes funded by the government.

Because of that, construction companies in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya are continually looking for skilled, qualified, and determined individuals to join in on the planning and managing of construction projects. Setting a job alert can help you keep track of all the companies in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya searching for such individuals.

When searching through job boards like JobStreet Malaysia, Glassdoor, or Monster Malaysia, to name a few, it would help to use the “sort by relevance” in the search filter. This way, you will bring up results catered to your location and whether it will be a job type full time or part-time. Carefully read through any job detail and job description as well so that you can tailor your letter of intent and resume to their needs.

Please check the date posted of these openings before applying (compiled January 2021).

Because project planning entails many moving parts, employers look for well-rounded individuals that understand engineering discipline and yield effective and efficient project processes. The job function for planners are generally the following:

Though a career in planning within the construction industry may require you to invest in your knowledge-base and skills, the jobs that become available to you are more expansive in scope. Meaning, you are not solely limited to planning. You also have the opportunity to venture into project control project planning or as a project planner scheduler.

The skills and knowledge attained in your experience and studies will go far beyond the scope of work provided by most companies making you a well-rounded individual able to manage any project in the construction industry, whether large or small.