Level 3

Why choose an Institute qualification?

The Chartered Management Institute is the only chartered professional body dedicated to management and leadership. You can therefore expect to receive the greatest possible value from our qualifications:

Increase your career options – our generic management qualifications provide the ultimate in portability across function and sector
Enhance your professional status – not just through the qualification, but through membership en route to Chartered Manager status

… all underpinned by our unrivalled reputation for quality, support and customer service, delivered by the Institute’s dedicated Centres, verifiers and staff.

Who are these qualifications for?

The Level 3 qualifications in First Line Management are designed for supervisors and first line managers who wish to build on and develop their existing management skills and knowledge. These qualifications are derived from the National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership and are accredited on the UK national qualifications frameworks.

What are the entry requirements?

There are no specific entry requirements for these qualifications. However, you are likely to have a few years experience in a management role. If you are in any doubt about which is the right level qualification for you, please contact your local Centre. Other qualification options are available such as Introductory awards and S/NVQs

Flexible qualification structure

The Level 3 qualifications in First Line Management offer a highly flexible approach to learning. They allow the freedom and choice to select from the broad range of units available, allowing employers and individuals to tailor the size and elements of the qualifications to suit their specific needs.

Units available to study at Level 3 include:

Personal development as a first line manager (Unit code 3001 – credit value 6)

You will learn how to write a Personal Development Plan and how to manage your time effectively to achieve work plan objectives. This will be done in conjunction with developing and maintaining working relationships at all levels and ensuring a safe and healthy place in which to work.

Resource planning (Unit code 3002 – credit value 6)

You will learn about resource planning, implementation and recording, including changes in resources when work activities alter and also taking into account the effect resources may have on the environment.

Meeting stakeholder needs (Unit code 3003 – credit value 6)

You will learn how to gain commitment from stakeholders and how to change to continually meet their requirements.

Managing and communicating information (Unit code 3004 – credit value 6)

You will learn about knowledge management, how to identify trends and their impact and be able to analyse information and develop communication management.

Developing individuals and teams (Unit code 3005 – credit value 6)

You will learn how to set targets for individuals and teams, review and develop them in line with organisational objectives.

Recruitment and selection (Unit code 3006 – credit value 6)

You will learn how to identify the personnel requirements for your team and take a leading role in the recruitment and selection process.

Maintaining quality standards (Unit code 3007 – credit value 6)

You will learn about the impact of quality within teams and the organisation, the effects it can have and how to measure work against quality standards.

Improving team performance (Unit code 3008 – credit value 7)

You will learn how to improve your team via performance measures and what action can be taken to reach the desired outcome.

Management communication (Unit code 3009 – credit value 6)

You will learn about the principles, methods and techniques of communicating management information to a team.

Being a leader (Unit code 3010 – credit value 6)

You will learn about the requirements of being a leader, different styles of leadership and how a leader builds a shared sense of purpose within his/her team.

Award

The Level 3 Award in First Line Management is a concise qualification, giving you an introduction to the necessary skills, roles and responsibilities of first line management. It enables you to strengthen and develop your basic knowledge of this management area through focusing on specific skills development. To achieve the Chartered Management Institute Award in First Line Management, you need to complete at least one unit with a minimum value of 6 credits.

Certificate

The Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management is a more extensive qualification which allows you to broaden your knowledge of effective management skills and techniques whilst still maintaining the flexibility to focus on the specific management elements appropriate to both you and your organisation. To achieve a Chartered Management Institute Certificate in First Line Management, you need to complete any combination of units to a minimum total of 13 credits.

Diploma

The Level 3 Diploma in First Line Management is a more comprehensive structured qualification providing you with the key management skills and techniques to enable you to operate effectively as a first line manager. This qualification allows you to develop a wide range of management competencies from effective recruitment and selection through to leading and developing individuals and teams. To achieve a Chartered Management Institute Diploma in First Line Management, you need to complete units 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004 and 3005 plus at least two other units to a minimum total of 42 credits.

How are these qualifications assessed?

Assessment is normally via practical work-based assignments provided by your Approved Centre. This ensures you minimise time away from work and that you undertake work study which is relevant to your own organisation’s context.

How long will it take?

The time it takes to complete a qualification is dependent on the units you choose and delivery times and methods do vary from one Approved Centre to another. However, as a guide:

The Award can take as little as 2-3 weeks
The Certificate can take between 1-3 months
The Diploma can take between 6 to 12 months

What support will I get?

In addition to the support you will receive from your Centre, the Institute provides a unique and comprehensive package of candidate support, with access to:

A wide range of online resources, from our highly regarded Study Resource Centre and CPD system to our new ‘rapid response’ Subject Search tool and Career Development site
The latest management thinking via our Professional Manager magazine and Study Zone, an e-newsletter designed specifically for our studying members
Our dedicated team of information researchers for your more complex research requests
A diverse events programme and network of members committed to, and experienced in, the field of management.

Progression opportunities

On successful completion of a Level 3 qualification in First Line Management, a number of progression opportunities become available:

Enhance your professional status by upgrading your membership with the Institute
Progress to other qualifications at the same level (e.g. from level 3 Award to level 3 Certificate or to the Level 3 S/NVQ in Management)
Progress onto the next level of Institute qualifications – the Level 5 qualifications in Management and Leadership or the Level 5 S/NVQ in Management.

For further information or to discuss details please contact Max Faulkner (Course Director) on 01353 688 510 or email to max.faulkner@nctonline.net