The School of Leadership and Management - Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship

Who is it for

This apprenticeship is for those who want to learn how to support, manage and develop operational teams, manage complex projects, plan and monitor activities and resources, deliver plans, resolve complex problems and build relationships.

Operations managers perform leadership and management duties with teams and senior managers to ensure that teams fulfil their roles and meet organisational goals.

They are essential to all business models that have an operational area or department with a workforce to lead, manage, and support. The broad purpose of this occupation is to provide leadership, with both operational and project responsibilities.

An operations manager is responsible for managing individuals or a team, offering direction, instructions, and guidance to achieve set goals. They are crucial for the smooth functioning of all departments within an organisation and ensure that their functions are administered and maintained in accordance with legislation and the organisation’s policies and procedures.

Operations managers provide clear and inclusive leadership and direction within their area of responsibility. This typically involves setting, managing, and monitoring the achievement of core objectives aligned with the organisation’s overall strategic goals. In smaller organisations, they are also likely to contribute to the execution and achievement of these strategic objectives.

How can the programme link to qualifications?

Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship Standard. It is also possible for learners to gain a CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership with some additional assessment work.

How is the programme delivered?

The programme takes 21 months to complete, followed by 2-3 month End Point Assessment. Participants complete a formal learning journey which is outlined below. Individual programmes are delivered virtually using MS Teams/Zoom, group based programmes for employers are delivered using a hybrid approach – a mix of in-person and virtual sessions.

Initial skills and capabilities assessment; CMI management diagnostic

Induction session and introducing our Level 5 team leader duties (workbooks) and CMI Level 5 learning modules. The workbooks and learning modules incorporate the required knowledge skills and behaviours for the standard.

14 Duties – Operations Manager Level 5 workbooks

We have created a series of learner workbooks mapped to the Operations Manager Level 5 Duties below which provide ideas and approaches drawn from the experience of its authors, supported by the standards published by the Chartered Management Institute and underpinned by its Management Direct resources and other sources.

The workbooks offer opportunities for the learner to apply this learning within their working environment and job role. We have structured the programme workbooks around the Duties and the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours for the standard.

Duty 1 Provide leadership and people management.

Duty 2 Keep up to date with IT and digital interventions such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and software that can be used in their sector.

Duty 3 Analyse, interpret and cascade data to enable tracking, trend analysis and metric reporting to enable decision making for managing objectives and targets.

Duty 4 Manage and influence activities and projects within budget and resources to deliver change and continuous improvement.

Duty 5 Collaborate with and manage stakeholder relationships.

Duty 6 Lead the creation and implementation of their resource plans considering future organisation needs and impact on change requirements.

Duty 7 Interpret and comply with relevant legislation and regulation and the impact on their organisation.

Duty 8 Lead and manage the team to ensure the application of equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.

Duty 9 Lead the team and individual training needs and support continuous professional development.

Duty 10 Communicate complex information to build understanding and drive team and organisational performance.

Duty 11 Manage activities which drive the organisation’s sustainability goals.

Duty 12 Build and manage internal relationships and collaborate with colleagues to enable cross-team working.

Duty 13 Lead and respond to risk management, assessing the opportunities which could affect individual and team performance, and finding solutions that meet their needs.

Duty 14 Develop and implement their operational plan that aligns with the strategic direction of the organisation.

CMI Level 5 learning units

• 501 Principles of Operational leadership and management
• 513 Managing projects to achieve results
• 524 Conducting a management project*

501 Principles of Operational Leadership and Management in an Organisational Context

Being equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to manage and lead in a variety of organisational settings is essential if an individual and their organisation are to succeed.

This unit has been designed for learners who want to develop or sharpen their professional edge and enhance personal effectiveness.

Learners will evaluate the impact of an organisation’s structure and governance on management and leadership. They will explore theoretical models, management and leadership styles and approaches designed to promote a culture of mutual trust, respect and support.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Understand factors which impact on an organisation’s internal environment
• Understand the application of management and leadership theories
• Understand the knowledge, skills and behaviours to be effective in a management and leadership role

513 Managing Projects to Achieve Results

The ability to manage projects is a vital skill for all managers. This unit focuses on the knowledge and skills required to manage projects successfully and overcome problems and challenges.

It requires the learner to evaluate the methods and tools for planning tasks and activities, as well as knowing how to implement and manage project activities, build stakeholder relationships, manage resources and risk, monitor progress and report on outcomes.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Understand the role of projects in delivering organisational strategy
• Understand processes for initiating, planning and managing projects
• Understand the factors which contribute to effective project management

524 Conducting a Management Project

Research into approaches to management and leadership can lead to dynamic results. Innovation, product development, performance improvement, change, customer service excellence, strategy and problem solving are just some of the results.

Without research business can stagnate.

The aim of the unit is for the learner to conduct management research which will have an impact on individual and/or organisational practice. It is expected that learners will plan and manage a genuine project in the workplace or an academic enquiry relevant to an identified business need or challenge.

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Know how to plan a management project
• Be able to conduct a management project

A tailored option – choose additional CMI learning units

We can add additional CMI units to this programme if there is a requirement from the learner or if there are specific objectives an employer wishes to achieve for a group of learners.

*This unit usually take 6 months to complete. This is aligned with the EPA requirements to compete a project whilst on programme. See below.

We have noted below some examples of the additional CMI learner units that could be added to the programme.

Please note to achieve the CMI Level 5 Certificate requires the learner to achieve 13 credits, to achieve Diploma the learner requires to achieve 37 credits. The Certificate will be obtained by completing the three learning units 501, 513 and 524.

Additional learning units available include:

• Using data and information for decision making
• Managing equality, diversity and inclusion
• Principles of developing, managing and leading individuals and teams to achieve success.
• Managing stakeholder relationships
• Managing change
• Creating and delivering operational plans
• Managing finance

Learners can also top up to the Diploma post this programme if they wish. We will advise you on the options available to you during onboarding.

How is the programme structured?

The course is delivered through a blended approach, incorporating workshops, online learning, individual coaching, work based learning, workbooks, reflective learning journals and CMI assessments, as well as regular line manager reviews.

Learners meet regularly with their tutor 1-2-1 and/or in group workshops and tutorials and are supported in their journey by a dedicated Learner Manager.

• Programme structure – 21-24 months
• Groups: Workshop x 8 and Action and accountability tutorials x 8 and 1-2-1 coaching sessions (monthly)
• Individuals: online tuition sessions linked to the Duties and CMI learning units, tutorial sessions and 1-2-1 coaching sessions (monthly)
• Independent study – reading (14 Duties – workbooks), listening, writing assignments, attending leadership and management events
• Off the job hours – undertaking tasks and activities that enable the learner to apply the learning

Off the Job hours

Learners will also complete a monthly learning journal or work diary, which will be a record of how they are applying the learning in practice. The journal entries are linked to the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will be used to build the learners portfolio and for End Point Assessment.

Apprentices are required to complete a number of off the job hours whilst they are undertaking an apprenticeship programme. Practically this will consist of the learner undertaking new tasks, new projects, carrying out procedures and processes in the new ways to achieve better results.

Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship Learning Journey

Stage 1: Pre-Onboarding

Prior to programme start, learners will complete the following activities:

• Attend an information session, providing an oversight of the key elements of the programme.
• Onboard using our Maytas LMS – application form, eligibility questionnaire and
• Complete an initial skills scan assessment against the standard’s knowledge, skills and behaviours.
• Verify status of existing qualifications, including English and Maths. If the employee does not have a Level 2 qualifications in these subjects, they can agree with their employer to forego the need to obtain them. We will discuss this with the employer and learner during onboarding.
• Leaner, employer and the Academy approve the apprenticeship agreement and training plan for the programme.

Stage 2: Induction and onboarding

• 1-2-1 session (virtual – MS Teams or Zoom):
  • Introduction to the programme, to include:
    • Apprentice standard
    • Operations Manager Duties and ALM workbooks
    • CMI Level 5 Certificate Management and Leadership
  • Learning journey
  • Assessment methods
  • Gateway and End Point Assessment

• Introductions:
  • Moodle online learning platform
  • Assessment team
  • Learner management team
  • Preparing to be an effective learner
  • Completion of apprenticeship documentation – agreement and training plan
  • Using Maytas and recording Off the Job hours
  • Understanding the roles of the course delivery team

Stage 3: Programme delivery and key components

Programme structure 

• Group/Individual Workshop x 8
• Action and accountability tutorials x 8
• Individual online tutorial / 1-2-1 coaching sessions
• Independent study – reading, listening, writing assignments, attending leadership and management events
• Off the job hours – undertaking tasks and activities that enable the learner to apply the learning

Workshop (if group) or a 1-2-1 session with your course tutor/coach.

• Discussion of the topic linked to the Level 5 Operations Manager Duties, the Duty workbooks and the CMI learning units contextualising it to your business.
• Preparation for assessment activities
• Off the Job learning requirements
• Portfolio and End Point Assessment – learning journal and CMI assessments

Tuition sessions (if individual)

• Discussion of the topic linked to the Level 5 Operations Manager Duties, the Duty workbooks and the CMI learning units contextualising it to your business
• Bespoke support for assessment task.
• Progress against knowledge, skills and behaviours of the Level 5 standard – ALM workbooks
• Inclusion of line managers as appropriate
• Bespoke support with
  • Portfolio development – learning journal and CMI assessments
  • Preparation for End Point Assessment
  • Off-job learning requirement

Self-directed learning

• Working through Operations Manager Level 5 workbooks which are aligned to the Duties and the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour requirements
• Development of portfolio
• Completion of assessment tasks – CMI units
• Completion of regular KSB skill scans
• Off the job hours additional training and development

In house input and support

We recommend inviting key people within the apprentices organisation to participate in the programme, at appropriate points during the month. This can include, but is not limited to, workshops, coaching and mentoring.

Group/Individual Workshop

This session will deliver course content, provide opportunity for interactive learning and expert tuition as well as guest speakers where appropriate.

Where the programme is delivered to a group, these sessions will also include opportunity for debate, discussion and peer on peer learning.

Your course tutor will also provide guidance and advice on how to approach assessed elements of your qualification including written assignments and the development of your skills/behaviours portfolio and monthly learning journal.

Independent study

During these allocated weeks you will be required to read the ALM Level 5 Operations Manager workbooks, work on your formal CMI written assignments as well as compiling evidence for your monthly learning journal and skills/behaviours portfolio.

Individual online tutorial

During these weeks, you will be allocated (through mutual agreement) a time slot for you to meet online with your course tutor 1-2-1.

This will be a safe, confidential space for you to ask questions about your formal assignments and raise any concerns you may have regarding any aspects of the programme. Your tutor will also ask you about access to your Off The Job training time allocation, as well as how you are using this designated time.

They will also talk to you about your portfolio, providing both support and challenge to help you build this up over time. At regular intervals during your time on the programme, your line manager will also be invited to these meetings (effectively making them 1-2-2) to discuss progress and support.

Learners will also participate in regular line manager reviews. They will meet regularly with their tutor and are supported in their journey by a dedicated Learner Manager.

How is the programme assessed?

The programme is assessed through a combination of written assignments and observations. There are assessments for every learning unit and additional End Point Assessment.

At the end, learners complete an End Point Assessment, incorporating the following elements:

• Written project report with presentation and Q&A
• A portfolio of evidence

The written project report will present a typical business task, appropriate for demonstrating the skills and knowledge in the standard.

The project completed on-programme will be comparable in terms of content and complexity for all apprentices; it is the context within which the knowledge and skills must be demonstrated that will vary. Learners will undertake this project during CMI Learning unit 524.

Each project will typically take six months to complete.

The apprentice must also compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by the professional discussion. It will typically contain 16 discrete pieces of evidence. Evidence must be mapped against the KSBs for the standard.

Evidence sources may include: CMI assignments, workplace documentation and records, workplace policies and procedures, witness statements e.g. feedback and review from peers, line managers and staff members. video clips with a maximum total duration 5 minutes; the apprentice must be in view and identifiable

This is not a definitive list; other evidence sources can be included.

What are the benefits – for the learner?

• Growth in ability to lead and manage people and develop relationships
• Use of a range of effective communication approaches
• Building of capability to support delivery of results and impacts
• Ability to lead complex projects
• Critical insights into financial measures vital to management roles
• Personal growth in self-awareness and management
• Ability to make complex decisions

What are the benefits – for the employer?

• Enhanced leadership and management capabilities
• Motivated workforce
• Focus on broadly based solutions focused on organisational objectives
• Talent development for leadership and management.
• Tangible results arising from practical learning applied in the workplace

Who is eligible?

• Learners who are, or aspire to be, middle managers.
• No formal qualifications are required.
• Learners will be required to demonstrate a minimum level 2 achievement in English and Maths functional skills. We will support learners to demonstrate this or to achieve the necessary level.