Apprenticeships

Business & Professional Studies

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Business & Professional Studies

Business Administrator

Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard. Delivered: Workplace
The business administrator is expected to deliver their responsibilities efficiently and with integrity – showing a positive attitude. The role involves demonstrating strong communication skills (both written and verbal) and adopting a proactive approach to developing skills. The business administrator is also expected to show initiative, managing priorities and own time, problem-solving skills, decision-making and the potential for people management responsibilities through mentoring or coaching others.

Start dates

Anytime

Duration

18 months + additional 3 months EPA

Learning journey

Learners will be required to meet all Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours components outlined within by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Knowledge criteria

The organisation

Value of their Skills

Stakeholders

Relevant regulation

Policies

Business fundamentals

Processes

External environmental factors

Skills criteria

IT

Record and document production

Decision making

Interpersonal skills

Communications

Quality

Planning and organisation

Project management

Behaviours criteria

Professionalism

Personal qualities

Managing Performance

Adaptability

Responsible

This is a workplace delivery model, where a dedicated Assessor will arrange to meet face to face in the workplace or virtually once a month to support you through your learning.

End point Assessment

On completion of your practical period, apprentices will be required to take End Point Assessment. End point Assessment is externally assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation that is chosen with your employer, at the start of your apprenticeship journey. The Independent End Point
Assessor [IEPA] will measure your knowledge, kills and behaviours through 3 assessments


. Knowledge Test – 60 minutes multiple choice.
. Portfolio based interview – 30-45 minutes.
. Project presentation – 15-30 minutes


Career progression
The administration role may be a gateway to further career opportunities,
such as management or senior support roles.

Qualifications

Apprentices will be required to have or achieve level 1 English and Maths and to have taken Level 2 English and Maths tests prior to completion of their apprenticeship.

Link to professional registration

Completion of this apprenticeship will lead to eligibility to join the Institute of Customer Service as an individual member at Professional level

Associate Project Manager

Level 4, Apprenticeship Standard. Delivered: Remote and Workplace

Associate project managers are key to enabling organisations meet their business goals by successful project delivery. Projects can be large or small and deliver a required product that either creates something new or improves efficiency and effectiveness, such as designing and constructing a new motorway or implementing a new IT system. Projects are diverse in nature and could involve anything from banking through to construction. Many organisations deliver their own projects, using in-house associate project managers to work on scope they might be already familiar with. Some associate project manager’s work on a contract basis or for specialist organisations that deliver outsourced project work on behalf of clients.

Start dates

Enquire

Duration

18 months + 5 months EPA

Learning journey

Learners will be required to meet all Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours components outlined within by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Knowledge and Skills criteria

 

·        The differences between projects and business as usual

·        alignment between the project and organisational objectives

·        The interdependencies between project, programme, and portfolio management.

·        Techniques PESTLE, SWOT or VUCA

·        The need and benefit of the project governance structure.

·        The differences and comparative benefits between functional, matrix and project structures.

·        Different roles and responsibilities within a project environment.

·        The differences and comparative benefits between linear, iterative and hybrid life cycle approaches.

·        Importance, content, and purpose of a business case.

·        Approaches to the maintenance of a business case and the management of the benefits which will be achieved upon the successful delivery of the project

·        The purpose, format, and significance of the project management plan.

·        Methods used to define, record, integrate, deliver, and manage scope.

·        The identification, analysis, and management of stakeholders.

·        Communication techniques and approaches to interact with stakeholders to meet their requirements.

·        The use of information management. Techniques for managing conflict and negotiation.

·        How and when to apply different estimating methods

·        Configuration management and change control.

·        The principles of earned value management (EVM) and the interpretation of EVM information.

·        Project scheduling and maintenance, including critical path analysis.

·        Allocation and management of resources throughout the project life cycle.

·        Principles of project risk and issue management.

·        Procurement strategies and processes that are both ethical and sustainable.

·        The role and purpose of quality requirements, planning and control in a project environment.

·        Principles for evaluating project success, including how lessons learned are captured and can impact future project delivery.

·        Relevant regulations and legislation such as data protection, and how they impact on their role.

·        The impact of project objectives and how to respond to challenges around sustainability and the UK Government’s policy to achieve net carbon zero.

·        Principles of conducting project management activities which are ethical and inclusive.

·        Technology and software used in the performance of project management activities.

·        Presentation tools and techniques.

 

·        Use project monitoring and reporting techniques to track, interpret and report on performance.

·        Manage and engage with stakeholders.

·        Influence and negotiate with others to create a positive outcome for the project.

·        Resolve conflict as and when required with stakeholders within limits of responsibility.

·        Adapt communications to different stakeholders.

·        Communicate and support the project vision, to ensure buy in to the project objectives.

·        Collate and analyse information and provide input to support negotiations relating to project objectives.

·        Monitor and analyse project budgets.

·        Review and provide feedback on a project business case to ensure the project remains valid.

·        Apply change control processes to support the management of project scope.

·        Evaluate an integrated project management plan to provide recommendations on areas for improvement.

·        Prepare, monitor, and schedule activities that contribute to the delivery of the overall project schedule and objectives.

·        Evaluate and make recommendations on the risk management plan to threats to delivery and recommend solutions.

·        Identify and monitor project risks and issues; and plan and implement responses to them.

·        Deliver a Quality Management Plan which contributes to quality control processes.

·        Use an organisation’s continual improvement process including lessons learned to improve performance.

·        Support the preparation or maintenance of a resource management plan for project activities.

·        Work with stakeholders to deliver the project.

·        Use digital tools and software to meet project objectives for example research, collaboration, presentations, and resolution of problems.

·        Provide underpinning data to support the written submission through the governance process.

·        Work within the approved project budget.

·        Ensure that integrated schedules support critical path analysis, interface management, resource forecasting and risk management.

·        Apply relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and ethical guidance where appropriate to their work.

·        Use data to inform decisions on actions to take to mitigate risks on project.

·        Use configuration management and change control to schedule and maintain projects.

·        Manages resources through the project lifecycle.

 

 

 

Behaviours criteria

·        Works flexibly and adapts to circumstances.

·        Works collaboratively and builds strong relationships with others across the organisation and external stakeholders.

·        Has accountability and ownership of their tasks and workload.

·        Operates professionally with integrity and confidentiality.

·        Seeks learning opportunities and continuous professional development

 

This is a work base delivery model, where a dedicated Assessor will arrange to meet face to face in the workplace or virtually visits once a month to support you through your learning.

In addition, apprentices will be invited to attend virtual workshops.

End point Assessment

On completion of your practical period, apprentices will be required to take End Point Assessment. End point Assessment is externally assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation that is chosen with your employer, at the start of your apprenticeship journey.

The Independent End Point Assessor [IEPA] will measure your knowledge, kills and behaviours through 2 assessments.

  • Project with report
  • Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Entry requirements

Typically, candidates will have achieved a grade C or above in at least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths. Where English and Maths have not been obtained, apprentices will be required to achieve level 2 functional skills in English and Mathematics prior to taking end point assessment (EPA).

Link to professional registration

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

  • Association for Project Management for Associate Membership

 

Customer Service Practitioner

Level 2, Apprenticeship Standard. Delivered: Workplace

The role of a Customer Service Practitioner is to deliver high quality products and services to the customers of their organisation. Your core responsibility will be to provide a high-quality service to customers which will be delivered from the workplace, digitally, or through going out into the customer’s own locality. These may be one-off or routine contacts and include dealing with orders, payments, offering advice, guidance and support, meet-and-greet, sales, fixing problems, after care, service recovery or gaining insight through measuring customer satisfaction.

Start dates

Anytime

Duration

13 months + 3 months EPA

Learning journey

Learners will be required to meet all Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours components outlined within by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Knowledge criteria

Knowing you customers

Understanding the organisation

Meeting regulations and legislation

Systems and resources

Your role and responsibility

Customer experience

Product service and knowledge

Skills criteria

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Influencing skills

Personal organisation

Dealing with customer conflict and challenge

Behaviours criteria

Developing self

Being open to feedback

Team working

Equality

Presentation

“Right first time”

This is a workplace delivery model, where a dedicated Assessor will arrange to meet face to face in the workplace or virtually once a month to support you through your learning.

End point Assessment

On completion of your practical period, apprentices will be required to take End Point Assessment. End point Assessment is externally assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation that is chosen with your employer, at the start of your apprenticeship journey.

The Independent End Point Assessor [IEPA] will measure your knowledge, kills and behaviours through 3 assessments.

  • Apprentice showcase.
  • Portfolio based observation – 1 hour
  • Professional discussion – 1 hour

Qualifications

Apprentices will be required to have or achieve level 1 English and Maths and to have taken Level 2 English and Maths tests prior to completion of their apprenticeship.

Link to professional registration

Completion of this apprenticeship will lead to eligibility to join the Institute of Customer Service as an individual member at Professional level

Human Resource Support

Level 3, Apprenticeship Standard. Delivered: Stretford Campus

Human Resource (HR) Professionals in this role are typically either working in a medium to large organisation as part of the HR function delivering front line support to managers and employees, or are a HR Manager in a small organisation. Their work is likely to include handling day to day queries and providing HR advice; working on a range of HR processes, ranging from transactional to relatively complex, from recruitment through to retirement; using HR systems to keep records; providing relevant HR information to the business and working with the business on HR changes.

Start dates

September/February (Stretford and Stockport Campuses)

Duration

18 months + 3 months EPA

Learning journey

Learners will be required to meet all Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours components outlined within by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Knowledge criteria

·      Business understanding

·      HR legislation and policy

·      HR function

·      HR systems and processes

 

Skills criteria

·      Service delivery

·      Problem solving

·      Communication and Interpersonal

·      Teamwork

·      Process improvement

·      Managing HR information

·      Personal development

 

Behaviours criteria

·      Honesty and Integrity

·      Flexibility

·      Resilience

 

This is a day release delivery model, In additional a dedicated Assessor will arrange to meet face to face in the workplace or virtually visits once a month to support you through your learning.

Embedded qualification

Level 3 Foundation certificate in People Practice (CIPD)

End point Assessment

On completion of your practical period, apprentices will be required to take End Point Assessment. End point Assessment is externally assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation that is chosen with your employer, at the start of your apprenticeship journey.

The Independent End Point Assessor [IEPA] will measure your knowledge, kills and behaviours through 2 assessments.

  • Consultive project
  • Professional Discussion

 

Qualifications

Apprentices will be required to have or achieve level 2 English and Maths tests prior to completion of their practical period before taking end point assessment.

Link to professional registration

The successful apprentice may be eligible to apply for Associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) or any other professional body that recognises this apprenticeship within its membership criteria (membership is subject to the professional bodies own membership requirements).

It forms the foundation of a career within the profession, giving the base for further development through a career path within an organisation and/or through the HR Consultant/Partner apprenticeship. The apprentice can choose to stay within core HR or diversify into one of the specialist areas of HR.

 

Learning and Skills Mentor 

Level 4, Apprenticeship Standard. Delivered: Stockport Campus and Workplace

The purpose of the learning and skills mentor occupation is to support individuals and groups with their learning and development towards agreed goals. They will do this by working within ethical and legal frameworks to ensure a high standard of mentoring practice. They will work collaboratively with stakeholders to inclusively meet the individual needs of the mentee. They will be committed to their own professional development and reflective practice as a mentor and within their sector.  

Start dates

Anytime

Duration

14 months + 3 months EPA

Learning journey

Learners will be required to meet all Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours components outlined within by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Knowledge Skills and behaviours criteria

·       Plan, conduct and record mentoring activities to support the progression of the mentee working within legal and ethical frameworks, including confidentiality and safeguarding.

·       Use strategies to establish and maintain expectations and boundaries of mentoring contract, including recognising starting points of mentee, agreed development needs, potential barriers to development and where relevant, other stakeholders needs.

·       Select and use mentoring models, tools and techniques to support mentee to make desired changes, demonstrating responsiveness to the individual mentee needs.

·       Demonstrate awareness of own values, beliefs and behaviours and their effect on the mentor/mentee relationship.

·       Provide support to the mentee providing information, advice and guidance, working within own professional boundaries and recognising requirements for referral to other professional services where required.

·       Establish rigorous evaluation processes with mentee to support reflection on effectiveness of mentoring relationship.

·       Make sustainably informed decisions in approaches used to plan, conduct, record and evaluate mentoring practice.

·       Maintain records of mentoring practice and recording of continual professional development activities.

This is a work base delivery model, where a dedicated Assessor will arrange to meet face to face in the workplace or virtually visits once a month to support you through your learning.

End point Assessment

On completion of your practical period, apprentices will be
required to take End Point Assessment. End point Assessment is
externally assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation that
is chosen with your employer, at the start of your apprenticeship
journey. The Independent End Point Assessor [IEPA] will measure
your knowledge, kills and behaviours through 2 assessments

  • Observation with questions
  • Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of
    evidence

Eligibility
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level
prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health
and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths
minimum requirement is Entry Level 3.

Funding
£5000

Management - Team Leader/Supervisor

Level 3, Apprenticeship Standard. Delivered: Workplace

A Team Leader/Supervisor is a first line management role, with operational/ project responsibilities or responsibility for managing a team to deliver a clearly defined outcome. They provide direction, instructions and guidance to ensure the achievement of set goals. Working in the private, public or third sector and in all sizes of organisation, specific responsibilities will vary, but the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed will be the same whatever the role.

Start dates

Anytime

Duration

12 months + 4 months EPA

Learning journey

Learners will be required to meet all Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours components outlined within by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Knowledge criteria

Interpersonal excellence

·      Leading people

·      Managing people

·      Building relationships

·      Communication

Organisational performance

·      Operational management

·      Project management

·      Finance

Personal effectiveness

·      Awareness of self

·      Management of self

·      Decision making

Skills criteria

Interpersonal excellence

·      Managing people and developing relationships

Organisational performance

·      Delivering results

Personal effectiveness

·      Managing self

Behaviours criteria

Takes responsibility

Inclusive

Agile

Professionalism

 

This is a workplace delivery model, where a dedicated Assessor will arrange to meet face to face in the workplace or virtually once a month to support you through your learning.

In addition, apprentices will be invited to attend workshops.

Embedded qualification

Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

End point Assessment

On completion of your practical period, apprentices will be required to take End Point Assessment. End point Assessment is externally assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation that is chosen with your employer, at the start of your apprenticeship journey.

The Independent End Point Assessor [IEPA] will measure your knowledge, kills and behaviours through 3 assessments.

  • Presentation with questions and answers
  • Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
  • Knowledge Test

Qualifications

Apprentices will be required to have or achieve level 2 English and Maths tests prior to completion of their end point assessment.

Link to professional registration 

On completion, apprentices may choose to register with the associate members within the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and or the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), to support their professional career development and progression.

Management - Operations/ Departmental Manager

Level 5, Apprenticeship Standard. Delivered: Workplace

An Operations/Departmental Manager is someone who manages teams and/or projects, and achieves operational or departmental goals and objectives, as part of the delivery of the organisations’ strategy. They are accountable to a more senior manager or business owner. Working in the private, public or third sector and in all sizes of organisation, specific responsibilities and job titles will vary, but the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed will be the same.

Start dates

Anytime

Duration

18 months + 5 months EPA

Learning journey

Learners will be required to meet all Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours components outlined within by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Knowledge criteria

Organisational performance – delivering results

·      Operational management

·      Project management

·      Finance

 

Interpersonal excellence – Manging people and developing relationships

·      Leading people

·      Managing people

·      Building relationships

·      Communication

Personal effectiveness – manging self

·      Self-awareness

·      Management of self

·      Decision making

 

Skills criteria

Organisational performance – delivering results

Operational management

Project management

Finance

Interpersonal excellence – Manging people and developing relationships

·      Leading people

·      Managing people

·      Building relationships

·      Communication

Personal effectiveness – manging self

·      Self-awareness

·      Management of self

·      Decision making

Behaviours criteria

 

Takes responsibility

Inclusive

Agile

Professionalism

This is a workplace delivery model, where a dedicated Assessor will arrange to meet face to face in the workplace or virtually once a month to support you through your learning.

In addition, apprentices will be invited to attend workshops.

Embedded qualification

Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

End point Assessment

On completion of your practical period, apprentices will be required to take End Point Assessment. End point Assessment is externally assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation that is chosen with your employer, at the start of your apprenticeship journey.

The Independent End Point Assessor [IEPA] will measure your knowledge, kills and behaviours through 3 assessments.

  • Proposal presentation and questioning
  • Professional Discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Qualifications

Apprentices will be required to have or achieve level 2 English and Maths tests prior to completion of their end point assessment.

Link to professional registration

On completion, apprentices may choose to register for a full membership with the associate members within the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and or the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), to support their professional career development and progression.

Management - Senior Leader

Level 7, Apprenticeship Standard. Delivered: Workplace

Senior Leaders are a key component of all types of business model where there is a workforce to lead, manage and support. The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide clear, inclusive and strategic leadership and direction relating to their area of responsibility within an organisation. Typically, this involves setting, managing and monitoring achievement of core objectives that are aligned to the overall strategic objectives of their organisation’s Board (or equivalent). In a smaller organisation they are also likely to contribute to the execution and achievement of these strategic objectives. A Senior Leader influences at a higher organisational level, including sometimes at Board (or equivalent) level, and sets the culture and tone across their area of responsibility. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with internal stakeholders such as members of their team, other senior leaders or managers, support services (for example: finance, marketing, HR) and project groups and, in larger organisations, they may be part of a wider specialist team. Depending on the size of their organisation, a Senior Leader may be responsible for reporting results relating to their area of responsibility to a Board, trustees, shareholders, executive team or to other senior management within the organisation.

Start dates

September

Duration

24 months + 5 months EPA

Learning journey

Learners will be required to meet all Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours components outlined within by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours criteria (Occupational duties)

 

–  Set the overall strategic direction of their area of responsibility in partnership with the Board (or equivalent), encouraging employees to buy into the organisation’s vision.

–  Lead on the development and critical review of operational policies and practices within their area of responsibility, to ensure they are aligned to the needs of the organisation and remain fit for purpose and sustainable.

–  Lead and influence agreed projects to deliver organisational strategy such as change and agile transformation programmes, diversification, new product implementation, and customer experience improvement.

–  Make decisions about organisational resource requirements (budgets, people, technology) based on strategic insight and reliable evidence.

–  Lead and respond to crisis management, assessing the risks and opportunities which could affect business/department performance, and finding solutions that meet the needs of both the organisation and its customers/stakeholders in a responsible and ethical way.

–  Lead people development including talent management, succession planning, workforce design, and coaching, and mentoring arrangements for people within their area of responsibility.

–  Promote an ethical, inclusive, innovative and supportive culture that generates continuous business improvement.

–  Report to the Board (or relevant governance/management structure) on the progress of their operational activities towards achieving business goals.

–  Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with key senior internal and external stakeholders to influence key decision makers as appropriate.

–  Shape the approach to external communications for their area of responsibility and ensure it aligns with any wider organisational communications strategy.

–  Proactively keep up to date with social, economic and technological trends and developments relevant to their area of responsibility and wider organisation, and promote innovation to address changing requirements and to take advantage of new opportunities.

–  Ensure that their area of responsibility is compliant with internal governance, such as any assurance framework requirements, and with external governance, such as any regulatory and statutory requirements.

 

 

This is a work base delivery model, where a dedicated Assessor will arrange to meet face to face in the workplace or virtually visits once a month to support you through your learning.

In addition, apprentices will be invited to attend virtual workshops.

End point Assessment

On completion of your practical period, apprentices will be required to take End Point Assessment. End point Assessment is externally assessed by an End Point Assessment Organisation that is chosen with your employer, at the start of your apprenticeship journey.

The Independent End Point Assessor [IEPA] will measure your knowledge, kills and behaviours through 2 assessments.

  • Strategic business proposal, presentation with questioning
  • Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

Entry requirements

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment..

Professional recognition

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

  • Chartered Management Institute for Chartered Manager or Chartered Fellow individual member grade
  • The Institute of Leadership for Management for Fellow member grade