In January 2019, Alliance Manchester Business School partnered with Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust to launch the Trust’s first Senior Leader development programme, utilising apprenticeship levy funding.
As part of the NHS Trust’s talent management strategy, the programmes were offered to leaders across the organisation. Nearly 50 of its future leaders embarked on the courses – many of whom were clinicians by background and had found themselves in management positions without management qualifications to draw on. Recognising this, the Trust chose to work with Alliance MBS to invest in their strategic leadership skills and retain this talent within their organisation.
The courses were employer-led and delivered using the leaders’ Apprenticeship off-the-job hours on a flexible and blended delivery pattern, providing an excellent learning and development platform for senior managers and leaders across the organisation.
Nicky Clarke, Chief of People for Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust said:
"I would like on behalf of NCA to congratulate the cohort of both clinical and non-clinical professionals from across our NCA Family, who have completed their advanced studies and qualifications during what has been an unprecedented period of change and challenge. The effort and ability to complete advanced academic study by this dedicated group of colleagues during the pandemic shouldn't be underestimated, and we are incredibly proud of all of them.
‘The number of merits and distinctions attained by our colleagues is an additional achievement which, I have no doubt, will enhance the quality of their performance and work going forward even further, bringing even higher standards into our organisation. Finally, I would like to recognise the contributions of the work-based mentors who have supported the graduates throughout their academic studies.”
Kate Julian, Programme Director, Executive Education Apprenticeship Programmes, commented,
“Healthcare faces unique challenges at any time, but during the pandemic, the pressure has been even greater. Throughout the Senior Leader apprenticeship, Alliance MBS practice-based tutors and our fantastic programme team have supported the cohort to help them achieve the best they can. We’re delighted that the first group of learners from Northern Care Alliance have done so well on the programme, graduating with distinctions and merits. Learning while you work is a tough challenge at any time. Add extra pressures during a pandemic, such as long workdays, home-schooling, and caring for wider family members, and the challenge is off the scale. We have been extremely impressed by the focus, resilience and application shown by this group in such ever-changing circumstances. They thoroughly deserve their fantastic results.”
Xavier Duran Martinez, Director, MBA Programmes, concluded, “Through a mix of classroom-based and on-the-job learning, these programmes have helped the NHS Trust to develop their future leadership talent, giving them skills they need to be effective and efficient managers and leaders. The learners have emerged from the programmes as critical thinkers and reflexive practitioners who are self-aware and who can deal with complexity and ambiguity.”
Senior leader apprenticeships have been designed to develop strategic leaders in private, public and third sector organisations by developing leadership and management skills to support business performance and unlock the potential of employees.
Find out more information about current senior leader apprenticeships at Alliance MBS here.
