Leadership Apprenticeship – Advice/Experiences??

[Gemi33]

I am early 40s and currently work in a higher education professional services role and potentially have the opportunity to complete a Level 5 apprenticeship in operational management. I am trying to decide whether this is something I want to do before the deadline which is fast approaching. On the one hand, I am worried about the future of my role given the challenges in HE at the moment and feel something like this could be really beneficial should I find myself looking for a new job/promotion in the future. On the other hand, I haven’t done any kind of study since my UG degree many years ago. I am lacking in confidence and worried that I will really struggle with assignments etc. I have always been someone that preferred exams. I struggled with essays and really dislike public speaking so looking at the coursework and presentations etc. makes me quite anxious. My job is already very busy and working in HE is very stressful at the moment, so I worry about enrolling and then struggling to cope and adding to my anxiety issues. That being said, I also don’t want to miss an opportunity that could benefit my career.

Has anyone here completed a similar apprenticeship? How did you find it? Do you have any advice for someone considering it?

xx

I work on local government so slightly different to you and I did a level 6 in business management and leadership. I feel it helped me get my last two roles, each of which was a promotion and the last a move into a different department. I’d definitely recommend, go for
it.

Thanks so much for your reply, that's really helpful. How did you find the experience of doing the apprenticeship?

Will a level 5 be of much use to you when you already have a level 6?

The degree I have is in a different area to the one I now work in so this would be the only qualification I would have in this area. The Level 5 was recommended as the one suitable for my current role and those looking to progress to more senior leadership roles.

Don't confuse "apprenticeship" with young and unexperienced! Whilst traditionally it was, companies now receive tax benefits for offering apprenticeships and hence offer training qualifications to a wide age range that they didn't previously.

If you think you can cope with the workload - and your employer will be obliged to give you ~1 day off per week as part of the program - then go for it as it will definitely open more doors in the future.

Thank you. My line manager is very supportive so that's, I'm just doubting my abilities to do well I think. It's been so long since I've had to write an essay etc. and it's not something I'm a natural at!

Sorry I only just came back to your thread. It was a juggle, but I had a great group of fellow students who were really supportive which was just great.

I did this exact apprenticeship in 2020/2021. I had quite a few years' experience in managing people and teams and also previously have a degree that's not particularly useful in work terms 😁.

I found it really useful and genuinely practical. I work in operations previously on charities and now in HE and I've gone back to the course materials many times since.

The assignments when I did it were short notice might be 2000 words for a module but on reality 500 words on this and 900 words on that. So it was broken down. It's very manageable. The requirements have changed since I think so you don't have to strictly track your 20% off the job time.

Thanks so much for really helpful replies.

@Fitzcarraldo353 thank you, that's really useful information on the assignments. It makes me feel a bit better to think they are broken down a bit, seems a bit less intimidating!

They definitely are but check the requirements for your provider and how they assess you. You should be able to get detailed info from them or online.

So go for it though. It's so valuable. And you get Chartered Management status/membership at the end of it which is great on your CV and the CMI run some great events. The women's conference last year was really good.

Thank you, that's really good to know!