Programme Manager Review

• Managing a team of Tutors to deliver a high-quality apprenticeship provision, across various sectors and geographical locations • Monitoring and setting KPIs to meet company objectives and business plan, with profiling and monitoring, reporting risk to senior management and directors, while collaborating with the employer account managers. • Allocation of apprentices to Tutors, ensuring capability and capacity. • Monthly 121s, annual appraisals and bi-monthly team meetings, including performance management and capability/disciplinary following company processes • Recruitment of new staff, ensuring a comprehensive and diverse team to deliver effectively. • Ensuring compliance of all Awarding Organisations, Ofsted and ESFA requirements. • Analysing Management information data to effectively direct and drive team priorities. Reporting information to the Directors and senior managers, ensuring accurate information to support the monitoring and development of the business plan. • Complete all verification processes to ensure an effective and timely completion for the learner, while feeding back to assessor on good practice and development. • Communicate across all levels and areas of the organisation. • Follow all H&S, safeguarding and prevent procedures, highlighting and dealing with any issues that arise, while working with the appropriate department and implementing any safety measures that may be required.

During my time on the apprenticeship, I was learning more about different management styles which helped me to see how I used the different types for specific scenarios and how this supported the team. It also gave me skills in time management and how to look at improving this. We also completed a self analysis which was also handed to others in the business to complete and I learnt that I doubt my skills and ability more than others in the business, which enable me to be more confident in what I was doing.

I enjoyed completing the apprenticeship in leadership and management as this gave me an insight on how I was managing my team and I could further develop skills to support them further. It also gave me a chance to work with my peers during the apprenticeship, which working for a national training provider isn't always easy to do. This helped me to look at how others completed work and supported my own development. It also helped me to get to know other in the business that we don't deal with often, meaning a better working relationship across teams.

The apprenticeship was structured with monthly training session which was set out by the tutor, we also had support meeting, both face to face and via email/Skype. The first meeting was the induction to the programme which set out our aims and objectives for the duration of the course. We had 1-1 meetings with the tutor which helped us to understand where we was within the apprenticeship and what we needed to complete. The team worked well together and added in extra study days to support each other.

As part of the apprenticeship we had to complete an improvement project. For this we were all given a sponsor from the business who would support and motivate us throughout the apprenticeship. we would have meeting with them to see how we was doing and to help guide us. Along side this all directors would speak to us to ensure was doing ok and if we needed any additional support with our apprenticeship assignments or the work we was doing.

As a national training provider, when we complete qualifications internally we receive a lot of support from them. Throughout the qualification the tutor is on hand, not only when on an organised visit or session but throughout to answer questions. they have the training materials to help and are experts in their field so that whenever you are struggling to complete something they can help and support by relating the scenario back to what we are completing.

During my apprenticeship, I changed roles a couple of times, finally into the programme managers role. completing the apprenticeship and the knowledge of my tutor and peers helped me to develop my skills as a manager. Also through completing 360 feedback it helped me to see how others saw me within the company and from my team, to ensure that I am doing the role to the best of my abilities to support the team and the business.

Yes there are extra-curricular activities within out company. we complete charity events that take place either during the working day or outside of work. not only does this give us the ability to forge strong bonds with our colleagues it helps us to support the wider community. we have weekly quiz nights that everybody can take part in as these are done through Microsoft teams, so it is irrelevant on where you are in the county. Again this supports team bonding. There are also whole company get together, where we complete against each other in a fun event and have a meal outside of the work place for socialising.

Yes

I would recommend Leaning Skills Partnership to others as they have a value to learners and staff that is not always seen in larger organisation. They maintain a family friendly environment and support each other to become better. They strive to be the better themselves and the company, while maintaining the learner at the heart of what they do. Growth is done at a rate that is sustainable to all in the business and to avoid our provision to our existing clients declining. the directors are approachable and friendly and keep an open door policy for if you need to speak to them. They are interested in their staff as individuals and not just as a number.

If I was to give anyone any tips or advice on applying to Learning Skills Partnership, then it would be to show how you can help the business to grow. Show them what assets you bring to the company that will support the business in the role you are applying for. Research the company, learn their values and what they want to achieve across the country and in the training environment. Don’t be afraid to ask questions but mainly just be yourself.