Aligned to the level 3 and level 5 management apprenticeship standards the programme is designed to equip future and current team leaders with the necessary management skills to both progress their own career and lead effective, productive teams. 

Bespoke programmes will be developed and delivered for each employer, covering skills that are required to be a successful manager such as effective communication, managing finance, leading and motivating a team and problem-solving and decision-making.

Grant Thornton says the costs of the programme are accessible for businesses. Larger employers can utilise their apprenticeship levy to pay, whilst smaller employers can gain a 90% contribution towards the cost through government investment. There are already 300 learners on the programme and it is anticipated that more than 1,000 learners per year will be able to access it. 

Justin Rix, partner, talent solutions, Grant Thornton UK, pointed to research from City & Guilds into skills shortages which suggested the hardest jobs to fill are management roles.

‘One of the core purposes of the apprenticeship levy is to encourage increased availability and uptake of quality training to address this gap, which is a threat to the future growth of the UK’s economy and a contributing factor to our existing productivity gap. 

‘Our partnership with Activate Business School provides an opportunity for employers to offer their people first-class leadership and management training in line with the needs of their business, whilst also benefitting from the apprenticeship levy funding,’ Rix said.

Report by Pat Sweet