PMI Educational Foundation Celebrates 35 Years of Bridging the Youth Skills Gap for Career Success
PMIEF helps millions of young people transition from classroom to career through project management education
14 August 2025
Philadelphia, PA
The PMI Educational Foundation (PMIEF), a philanthropic arm of Project Management Institute (PMI), proudly marks its 35th anniversary this year. Since its founding in 1990, PMIEF has been a catalyst for social good, equipping youth and the nonprofits that serve them with critical project management skills to help them thrive in school, careers, and life. Upskilling the next generation of workers with business-critical skills has never been more important as research shows that only 24% of recent college graduates have all the skills they need for their current role.
From its early days focused on scholarships and higher education, PMIEF has evolved into a global force for youth education. Since 2020 alone, the Foundation has reached nearly 3 million youth annually, with a record high of 3.4 million in 2024, through its 22 nonprofit partnerships. Two of these partnerships include STEM Racing and Junior Achievement youth programs.
Libby Atkin shared her experience of learning project management with STEM Racing: “Project Management is a great help for my future, whichever industry I decide to go into, it’s an integral component of any job and I know for myself, the personal skills I’ve developed, including time and financial management have really helped.”
Junior Achievement Europe explained how team Milenyum Soft benefited from their project-based learning: “These skills are transferable across various industries. Whether one pursues a career in technology, healthcare, education, or any other field, the ability to manage projects efficiently is a valuable asset that enhances employability and career growth.”
Today, there are almost 40 million project professionals in the global workforce. However, up to 30 million new project professionals are needed to meet global demand by 2035, according to the PMI® Global Project Management Talent Gap report.
“This milestone is a powerful moment to reflect on PMIEF’s legacy, and the growing impact we continue to make as a Foundation dedicated to empowering youth around the world,” said Ashley Forsyth, Director of Social Impact Programs at PMI and PMIEF Executive Director. “Partnering with youth-serving nonprofits has unlocked vast opportunities to upskill young people with in-demand project skills that are crucial to their career success now and in the future. We’re helping close the skills gap and give the next generation the necessary tools to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce.”
A Legacy of Impact
- Awarded more than $2 million in educational scholarships since 2010.
- Targeted 30 global nonprofit partnerships by 2027 to continue growing impact.
- Delivered project management training to youth and educators, thanks to the commitment of hundreds of volunteers worldwide annually.
- Continuously supporting non-profits with cutting-edge project management resources to help them scale their capacity and impact.
From Classrooms to Communities
PMIEF’s journey began with a focus on formal education—funding research, fellowships, and student awards. In 1998, it expanded its mission to include youth programs, launching initiatives like PM4Kids and the High School Initiative. The 2019 strategic shift moved the Foundation away from formal education to focus on equipping youth through youth-serving nonprofits while helping to strengthen their capacity.
Skills for Life: A Global Resource
One of PMIEF’s most enduring contributions is the widely used Project Management Skills for Life® guide, which has been updated in honor of the anniversary. This free, globally accessible resource introduces teens to the fundamentals of project management through relatable examples, hands-on exercises, and practical templates. The updated version now includes AI prompts to help youth develop their projects, more content on agile, an Educator Guide for adult facilitators, and a virtual toolkit hosted on Miro for asynchronous or synchronous team collaboration.
Watch the State of the Foundation Event
To honor this milestone, PMIEF hosted its annual State of the Foundation online event—a dynamic, on-demand experience hosted on ProjectManagement.com— on August 14, 2025. PMIEF invites the global community to watch this “living annual report” on-demand as it showcases the Foundation’s impact, shares stories from partners and youth, and offers a chance to earn PDUs.
About PMIEF
Founded in 1990, the PMI Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers youth to realize their potential and transform their lives through project management. PMIEF provides grants, scholarships, and educational resources to support the development of project management skills among youth and underserved communities. Learn more about PMIEF.
PMI Trademarks
Project Management Institute, PMI, and Project Management Skills for Life® are trademarks and/or registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc., in the US and/or in other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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About Project Management Institute (PMI)
PMI is the leading authority in project success. Since 1969, PMI has shone a light on the people and advanced practices behind successful projects. Supported by a global community of millions of project professionals and by thousands of corporations, government agencies and academic institutions, PMI provides the knowledge, resources and certifications to lead projects and transformations effectively and responsibly. Join PMI in elevating our world – one project at a time. Connect with us at www.pmi.org, linkedin.com/company/projectmanagementinstitute, on Instagram @pmi_org, and on TikTok @PMInstitute