Elevating proficiency in public-private partnerships(PPPs)

The APMG Public-Private Partnerships Certification Program is an innovation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the World Bank Group (WBG) and part funded by the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) with a shared vision of enhancing PPP performance globally.

The program enables individuals to act as informed members of a PPP team by understanding the key principles and lifecycle of PPP projects. It consists of three certification levels; Foundation, Preparation and Execution.

The Foundation level is aimed at individuals working at a basic level of PPP implementation, with little or no previous PPP experience. It aims to standardize knowledge of the PPP process lifecycle and terminology, as described within the PPP Guide.

The Foundation level is the first step to achieving the CP³P Certified PPP Professional credential, the ultimate recognition for PPP professionals. It’s awarded to those who pass all of the program’s three exams. Those who possess the CP³P credential will be instantly recognisable in demonstrating the competencies required to deliver PPPs successfully.

The certification program is underpinned by the PPP Guide; the definitive resource on PPPs. It’s a reference manual written and endorsed by international PPP practitioners and experts, pulling together terminology, concepts and best practices, which can be applied to infrastructure projects globally.

The PPP Guide has become the go-to body of knowledge for thousands of PPP professionals across the world. Available in eleven languages, the PPP Guide is available to download for free, and has been accessed over 1.3 million times.

Those studying the PPP Guide and undergoing CP³P training and certification are better equipped to:

• Effectively source funding for PPP projects.
• Establish tailored and comprehensive PPP frameworks.
• Identify and allocate the government roles and responsibilities within the PPP process.
• Propose optimal procurement routes for PPP projects.
• Structure and manage PPP contracts.
• Achieve maximum Value for Money (VfM) through effective financial structuring.

The scale, complexity and importance of PPPs requires deep knowledge and expertise. Those with a CP³P credential stand out amongst their peers as having the skills and knowledge required for effective planning and delivery of PPP initiatives.

In 2022 we conducted a survey of CP³P Foundation candidates. Here's a selection of key results from that survey:

• 100% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that individuals involved in PPP initiatives should consider the APMG CP³P course and certification to boost their ability.
• 97% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that individuals involved in PPP projects should consider the APMG CP³P course and certification to support career progression.
• 97% of respondents to APMG’s CP³P survey felt the learning/training experience has increased their confidence as a project professional.
• Over 95% of respondents to APMG’s CP³P foundation candidate survey felt the learning/training experience has made them a better PPP professional.