The Office for National Statistics reported in January 2023 that in 2021, the UK's output per hour worked was lower than France, Germany and the United States, but higher than Canada and Italy. This is generally considered to be a fault of poor leadership in businesses and confirms that the importance of robust management training cannot be overstated. Ann Francke, the Chief Executive of the Chartered Management Institute, underscores this sentiment in her recent article in The Times. She highlights a startling statistic: four out of five individuals in management roles in the UK have never received formal training for their positions. This lack of training is a significant contributor to the UK's languishing productivity rates. Half of the employees who perceive their managers as ineffective are considering leaving their organisations within the year.
Level 3 Team Leader and Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeships: A Solution
To address this gap, VQ Solutions offers two compelling apprenticeship programmes: the Level 3 Team Leader and the Level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeships. These programmes are meticulously designed to cater to the needs of aspiring and current managers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills essential for effective leadership and management.
Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship
The Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship is a first-line management role, focusing on operational and project responsibilities or managing a team to deliver specific outcomes. Key responsibilities include supporting, managing, and developing team members, managing projects, planning, and monitoring workloads, and building relationships internally and externally. Typical job titles in this apprenticeship pathway include Supervisor, Team Leader, and Shift Manager.
This apprenticeship imparts essential knowledge in areas like interpersonal excellence, managing people, building relationships, and operational management. It typically spans 12 to 18 months, and upon completion, apprentices may choose to register as Associate Members with professional bodies like the Chartered Management Institute.
Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship
The Level 5 Operations Manager apprenticeship targets individuals managing teams and/or projects and achieving operational or departmental goals as part of an organisation's strategy. This role includes responsibilities like creating and delivering operational plans, leading teams, and managing change. Job titles in this pathway include Operations Manager, Regional Manager, and Divisional Manager.
Key knowledge areas include operational management, project management, and finance, while skills developed encompass leading people, managing talent, and effective communication. This apprenticeship takes approximately 2 years, and successful apprentices can register as full members with the Chartered Management Institute.
The Impact of Effective Management Training
The benefits of investing in structured management training are manifold. Organisations that systematically develop strong management and leadership behaviours see tangible returns on their investment. Trained managers exhibit a significant difference in their approach to essential behaviours such as communication, coaching, and career progression, compared to untrained managers. This structured approach leads to a more efficient and effective organisational operation.
The Role of VQ Solutions
VQ Solutions stands at the forefront of facilitating this critical transformation. By offering these apprenticeship programmes, we provide organisations with a structured pathway to upskill their management teams. Our programmes are either funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or, for non-levy paying organisations, 95% government-funded, making them accessible and cost-effective.
Employer Choices
For employers, the choice is clear. Investing in management training through apprenticeships is not just a step towards enhancing individual leadership skills; it's a strategic move to uplift your organisation's overall productivity and morale. By partnering with VQ Solutions, you're not only addressing the training gap highlighted by industry leaders like Ann Francke but also positioning your organisation for long-term success and resilience.
In a business landscape where effective leadership is paramount, can you afford not to invest in management training?
