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Hallam's open Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship Programme to develop future business leaders

Employers can ‘grow their own’ talent by taking advantage of the new open Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) programme at Sheffield Hallam University, which will help develop their future leaders and boost their business.

The trailblazer Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship was launched at Sheffield Hallam in 2015 as a closed programme for Nestlé. Following its success, an open programme is now being rolled out from autumn 2016 to offer other businesses the opportunity to recruit high calibre employees and develop one or more members of their current workforce.

The new part-time programme is an innovative work-based learning solution that is designed to meet the needs of the employer and the learner, putting them at the heart of the programme. It consists of building blocks of learning, comprising of the essential components of management practice required to be successful in a complex and dynamic modern workplace.

Alongside core topic areas, the programme allows for completion of major in-company projects designed to deliver return on investment for the employing organisation. Students gain a BA (Honours) Professional Practice in Management and professional recognition through the award of Chartered Manager status.

The programme is suitable for both new recruits (e.g. school leavers entering into management positions) and for developing aspiring/existing managers already employed by the business who do not have a relevant management degree.

The CMDA has been developed by a group of employers, in collaboration with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and higher education providers, to offer an alternative way for businesses to develop their workforce.

According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), poor management skills cost the UK economy over £19 billion a year. Research by the Cranfield School of Management and learndirect also found that 64% of employers think a lack of management skills is holding back growth. The CMDA is delivered over three and a half years and participants attend university for three days at a time, approximately six times per year.

Roland Spencer, Business Development Manager at Sheffield Business School, said: “The CMDA provides an alternative to graduate recruitment and the opportunity to ‘grow your own’ talent.

“This is an excellent opportunity to get work-ready graduate-calibre employees embedded within your organisation, who truly understand your business and bring fresh perspectives and ideas. Apprentices will be working with a cohort of similarly-minded people to enhance the learning experience. We encourage any organisation interested in working with us to develop the next generation of talent, to get in touch with us to find out more about this opportunity.”

If employers and employees meet the Skills Funding Agency eligibility criteria, they could receive funding of up to two thirds of the course costs. There are also additional incentive payments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and for participants who are aged under 19.

One business planning to work with Sheffield Hallam on the new CMDA is L&P Springs UK, which has its divisional head office in Barnsley.

Managing Director Darren Rhodes, said: “At L&P Springs, we see the degree apprenticeship programme as a great way of attracting new talent into our business, enabling them to grow in line with our success. We also recognise that our existing staff have much to offer and this initiative allows us to harness their experience and develop it. We are keen to make it work for us.”

To find out more about Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships at Sheffield Hallam University visit the website or email apprenticeships@shu.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sheffield Hallam University .