Published on 18 December 2016
National and regional business figures today (19 December) backed a North-East University's drive to tackle the issue of businesses in the region failing to meet their potential due to ineffective leadership and management.
According to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), around 60% of UK organisations in decline report that they do not train their staff, whereas businesses which experience high levels of growth have made substantial investment in management and talent development.
The CMI estimate that poor management could cost UK businesses over £19bn per year in unproductive working hours.
That is why business leaders are backing the University of Sunderland's new BA (Hons) Management & Leadership Practice, Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship programme, which aims to help improve business growth and performance in the North-East by enhancing the skill-set of existing employees, allowing companies to become more productive and competitive.
One of a range of new degree apprenticeships in development by the University, the BA (Hons) Management & Leadership Practice is to be rolled out early in the New Year, as part of the Government's campaign to increase the number of higher level apprenticeships in the workplace.
The Government aims to create three million apprentices by 2020. To fund this, a new apprenticeship levy will come into force in April 2017, which taxes companies with salary costs over £3m per year. The funds from the tax can be used by employers to train and develop their own staff - with funding support from Government.
These new degree programmes are aimed at people new to the workforce as well as more experienced managers and employees wanting to progress. They can be delivered flexibly, round the demands of an organisation and staff time out of the office is greatly reduced. Employees will develop skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to their organisation.
The University of Sunderland is one of only 18 universities in the UK chosen to receive Government funding to support its drive to increase apprenticeships across the country – based on the fact it developed one of the first degree apprenticeships, BSc Digital and Technology Solutions.
The new BA (Hons) Business Management & Leadership Practice, which will be delivered at the University's Sunderland and London campuses from February 8, will improve employees' abilities in all areas important to organisational success – from operational strategy to leading and managing people.
The President of the Chartered Management Institute, Mike Clasper, said: "Too many people are being asked to lead without training or support, with one-third of managers rated ineffective by their teams. The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship has been designed by employers for employers to develop teams with the professional leadership skills needed to drive growth.
"Graduating apprentices will also achieve Chartered Manager status, the highest professional management accreditation and membership of CMI. The University of Sunderland's programme will help the apprentices to kick-start their careers in management and help others rise to the top," added the former Chief Executive of BAA and Chairman of HMRC.
James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: "Whilst we have many extremely well run businesses in the North-East, we know that great leadership could enable many enterprises to achieve so much more of their potential and really take the North-East economy forward. I therefore welcome the new Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship at the University of Sunderland - an organisation which knows how to support businesses of all sizes."
The University will be launching all its degree apprenticeships at an event at its City Campus on January 18.