Operations or Department Manager Apprenticeship


Level: 5 / Duration: 18-24 mths

2 female and 3 male business people holding files on anOperations or Department Manager apprenticeship
This Operations or Department Manager apprenticeship develops the leadership and management skills of senior managers within any organisation. An Operations or 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 organisation's strategy. Those training within an operations or department manager apprenticeship are accountable to a more senior manager or business owner. Working in the private, public, or third sector and in all sizes of organisations, specific responsibilities and job titles will vary, but the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed will be the same.

Assessment

The EPA assessment period will last up to 20 weeks

A portfolio of evidence of their best work
Project report to explain how they applied their knowledge, skills and behaviours in a project which they have been working on during the course of their apprenticeship programme accompanied by a presentation followed by a Q&A
Meet with the independent assessor to have a Professional Discussion underpinned by their portfolio of evidence

The Operations or Department Manager apprenticeship training will enable your apprentice to:

  1. Input to strategic planning
  2. Use recognised Project Management techniques to plan, deliver, evaluate project performance and ensure benefits are realised
  3. Implement required processes for the business then evaluate andreport back to senior management
  4. Contribute to budgets and resource management plans and ensure they manage in line with those plans
  5. Identify and monitor any quality control issues and suggest solutions
  6. Support and implement department specific strategies and ensure they line up with the requirements and goals of the business
  7. Support the maintenance of the company's legal compliance
  8. Hire and train staff
  9. Lead teams
  10. Support people through coaching & mentoring

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

We have a full list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours that the Operations or Department Manager apprenticeship teaches and assesses. However, this is a brief breakdown of the credentials your apprentice will learn:

    • Creating plans to deliver objectives and set KPIs

    • Understand business development tools (eg SWOT), and approaches to continuous improvement

    • Understand operational business planning to manage resources, development of sales and marketing plans, setting targets and monitoring performance

    • Management systems and processes

    • Understand how to initiate and manage change by identifying barriers and know how to overcome them

    • Understand data security and management

    • Effective use of technology in an organisation

    • Understand organisational values and ethics and their impact on decision making

    • Project Management tools and techniques

    • Understand process and risk management

    • Understand data analysis

    • Understand business finance to manage budgets and forecast

    • Decision Making: Able to undertake critical analysis and evaluation to support decision making using effective problem solving techniques

    • Understand different leadership styles

    • How to lead multiple and remote teams

    • How to manage team leaders.

    • Know how to motivate and improve performance

    • Coaching and mentoring approaches to support people

    • Understand organisational cultures and diversity and their impact on leading and managing change

    • Delegate effectively

    • Understand talent management models and how to recruit and develop people.

    • Understand approaches to partner, stakeholder and supplier relationship management

    • Negotiation, influencing, and effective networking techniques

    • Knowledge of collaborative working techniques to enable delivery through others and how to share best practice

    • Managing conflict at all levels

    • Understand interpersonal skills and different forms of communication and techniques as well as how to apply them appropriately

    • Self-Awareness: Able to reflect on own performance, working style and its impact on others.

    • Management of Self: Able to create a personal development plan.

    • Use of time management and prioritisation techniques.

    • Takes Responsibility: Drive to achieve in all aspects of work.

    • Demonstrates resilience and accountability.

    • Determination when managing difficult situations.

    • Seeks new opportunities.

    • Inclusive: Open, approachable, authentic, and able to build trust with others.

    • Seeks the views of others and values diversity.

    • Agile: Flexible to the needs of the organisation.

    • Is creative, innovative and enterprising when seeking solutions to business needs.

    • Positive and adaptable, responding well to feedback and need for change.

    • Open to new ways of working.

    • Professionalism: Sets an example, and is fair, consistent and impartial.

    • Open and honest. Operates within organisational values.

Naturally, the Operations or Department Manager apprenticeship is covered by the government funding scheme. You can learn the full details when you visit the government's website here. Likewise, we have written blogs about funding available to businesses for apprenticeships. You may find our blog post, 'The Cost of Apprenticeships: A Shrewd Investment for Employers' particularly useful. Read the full article here.

A female candidate discussing work on a tablet with a male tutor on an Operations or Department Manager apprenticeship

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