The rise of the “accidental manager” emerged as the key theme of a recent breakfast briefing at Alliance Manchester Business School which saw business decision makers meet to learn more about senior leader apprenticeships.
Expert panel members, including Jas Sandhu, higher education specialist at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Diane Hopper and Julia Marshall of Northern Care Alliance NHS Group and Alliance MBS' MSc Management Practice Programme Director, Dr David Lowe, talked to business leaders about the potential benefits of leadership development training and helped to debunk misconceptions about the Apprenticeship Levy.
With many businesses still believing the scheme is limited to individuals at the beginning of their careers, panellists outlined how the Apprenticeship Levy can now also be used to unleash the potential of “accidental managers” who have no formal management training or qualifications.
These managers, leaders and decision makers are the drivers of future growth and job creation – and they need support. With the UK currently lagging in fifth for productivity among G7 nations, this is not simply a pressing issue for business – but one of national importance.
Panellist and higher education specialist at the CMI, Jas Sandhu, told attendees that the CMI’s own research indicates that the completion of accredited leadership development training could pay dividends with a potential return of £400k per chartered manager.
Delegates at the event also heard from Diane Hooper and Julia Marshall from the Northern Care Alliance about the impact senior leader apprenticeships are having on staff retention and the creation of future leaders at their NHS Trust.
Highlighting the possibilities offered by senior leader apprenticeships, the expert panel discussed the options for businesses seeking to up-skill high-potential current and future leaders by supporting their development with Apprenticeship Levy-funded courses and programmes.
The MSc and MBA level programmes offered at Alliance MBS, provide senior leaders with a CMI accredited qualification. Training can be funded for both large organisations and SMEs either wholly or in part through funds from the Apprenticeship Levy – so in many cases companies have already paid.
Panellist and MSc Management Practice Programme Director, Dr David Lowe said that leadership management training can help fill the gaps in knowledge for rising stars and high flyers: “The people who excel the most are often the ones without formal qualifications, those who perhaps missed out on a university degree earlier in their life. They really embrace the opportunity.”
Find out more information about senior leader apprenticeships and the options for businesses and individuals.
Watch videos from the Apprenticeship Levy event:
Click here for the full playlist of videos from the event: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtuDeBJEKi7yLaHCbLjM5RVR0GYvD2L2x
