Turn good bosses into great ones with our high-level apprenticeship

Whether battling back or booming after the pandemic, businesses need to ensure their top teams are performing at their best.

Many employers don’t realise they can increase their managers’ skills and qualifications via high-level apprenticeships – and have 95 per cent of their training costs met by the government.

“Many believe apprenticeships are for young recruits. Our Level Five Operations Manager Apprenticeship is the equivalent of a degree foundation course and upskills current staff. It turns good bosses into great bosses. Even the best will gain a huge amount from it,” says Adrian Plant, tutor at The Source Skills Academy.

Tuition focuses not only on how to manage, but also why,  helping managers understand the business and their staff better. The Source is tutoring the Level Five qualification at a host of companies, including Barnsley’s Albion Valves, Aztec Oils in Bolsover and Crystal Clean Service, Rotherham.

“Learning at this level is challenging; it means committing to two and a half years of study while doing a demanding job. But I see learners soar in confidence and develop far greater understanding of their tasks and responsibilities.”

Paige Goucher, office manager at Aztec Oils commented: “These courses have helped staff develop a wider understanding of the entire business and stronger delegation and communication skills. Decision-making skills have improved, enabling them to develop further and be involved in higher-level decisions.

“They are more confident and feel valued because they can see we are developing them and staff morale has increased because people feel more supported and understood.”

 

Last chance to take on your Kickstarter and access £3,000 grants

Businesses giving young people a chance via the government’s Kickstart scheme have until the end of this month to turn those eligible into apprentices and access £3,000 in grants to help pay for them.

Kickstart was launched early in the pandemic to give six-month work placements to jobless 16 to 24s on Universal Credit. The scheme ended in January but there’s still time to give a number of recruits a more secure future.

Additional grant cash intended by Rishi Sunak to encourage employers to take on apprentices ended on January 31 for all recruits other than Kickstarters whose placements don’t end until March 31.

Vicki Eadson, business development officer at The Source urged: “If you have a young Kickstart recruit working hard and progressing well, and your business is growing, it makes sense to keep them in your workforce. They will already be a part of the team and have begun to learn the ropes. If your Kickstarter is eligible for an apprenticeship and  enrolment takes place before March 31, the employer qualifies for the £3,000 financial incentive.”

Employers have until May 15 to apply for the incentive through the employer Digital Apprenticeship Service account.

For advice, contact Vicki Eadson on 0114 263 5767.