Senior Leader Apprenticeship with PG Diploma

This Level 7 apprenticeship offers apprentices an in-depth personal and professional development programme designed to transform them into confident and informed business leaders. Apprentices will gain a broad knowledge of business management, covering topics such as organisational strategy, financial performance, managing operations and delivering customer value, with the option to progress from the Postgraduate Diploma to our MBA.

On successful completion of the programme, apprentices will be awarded an apprenticeship certificate from the IFA (at pass, merit or distinction) subject to their successful completion of the End Point Assessment (EPA).  Additionally, apprentices may be eligible for Fellowship of the CMI or ILM.

In addition, apprentices have the opportunity to achieve a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (at pass, merit or distinction), derived from the first 2 stages of the University of Derby MBA Professional programme.

Key Characteristics:

• Learning takes place both at the university and in the workplace and uses real work based activities to inform and evidence that learning has taken place
• In order to meet nationally set criteria a minimum of 20% of the learning for apprentice learners will take place off the job, for example in lectures, seminars, job shadowing and industrial visits
• Develops a strategic, holistic and integrated perspective of business, organisations and management
• Assessment strategies allow direct application of learnt knowledge to the work place.

The programme curriculum and structure is designed to enable learners to undertake a level 7 Senior Leader apprenticeship that includes the opportunity to achieve an PG Diploma (non-mandatory) in Management (derived from the MBA Professional ). All apprentices will undertake the learning activities associated with the modules for the PG Diploma.

Prior to commencing the formal programme delivery, all apprenticeship learners will undertake an initial assessment (see admissions section), including a skills scan, this will highlight areas of experience and potential areas for development. The information from the skills scan will inform the Individual Learning Plan for each learner and contribute to the portfolio building.

An induction programme will be undertaken by all apprentices, which will include preparation for study at L7.  This is of particular importance given that it is anticipated that some apprentices are likely to have been out of formal education for a time, given their employment status and position. Induction activities will also include the processes, procedures and structure of the apprenticeship standard.

Apprentices will be awarded the PG Diploma after successful completion of the illustrated modules (total 120 Credits), there is a step off award if an apprentice decides not to complete the full programme:

• The employer must be content that the apprentice is working at or above the level of the occupational standard
• Achievement of English and Maths at level 2 or higher
• Development and sign off by the EPAO of the strategic business proposal title and scope
• Hold a portfolio to evidence achievement of KSB’s

To successfully complete the apprenticeship,  apprentices must successfully complete the End Point Assessment (EPA). Prior to undertaking the EPA apprentices must pass through the EPA Gateway as specified in the apprenticeship standard.

Benefits to employers

Your apprentices will:

• gain contemporary subject knowledge in strategic management and leadership
• be able to contribute to the business before they graduate, thanks to work-related tasks and projects
• develop important capabilities that all employers demand from their leaders
• critical analysis and the confidence to challenge existing ways of doing things
• strong leadership through change and innovation
• a thorough understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility, governance and regulatory compliance
• the ability to engage employees, forge collaborative relationships and develop people.

Employment requirements

You must currently be in paid employment of at least 30 hours per week and your employer must cover the costs of the apprenticeship.

Academic requirements

Employers usually set their own selection criteria and entry requirements and we can work with them on this. However, typically an applicant for Senior Leader might be expected to have a recognised bachelors-level degree - such as a BA, BSc or BEng - or the equivalent, plus management experience.

The additional fee to top up to the MBA Professional qualification will be funded separately by either the employer or apprentice

More information for employers

The cost of this apprenticeship is £14,000, but we will consider individual agreements, depending on student numbers and your involvement - If you pay into the Apprenticeship Levy, this funding will be used.

Generous government subsidies are also available that reduce the fees for SME's to under £800!

Apprentices will need to apply through their employer. Employers can find out more by contacting the Apprenticeships Hub - please see below for contact information.

Contact us

Apprenticeship Hub

• Email: apprenticeships@derby.ac.uk
• Phone: 01332 593092

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