Dr Steph Russell, Head of Apprenticeships at Cranfield Executive Development, debunks the myths the still exist about senior leader apprenticeships.
Senior Leader Apprenticeships (SLAs) are funded by the apprenticeship levy, which was introduced in 2017 to create long-term sustainable funding for apprenticeships, and to support employers with upskilling their employees.
The apprenticeship levy is an amount paid at a rate of 0.5% of an employer’s annual pay bill (if more than £3m). Smaller employers can benefit from apprenticeships too; they pay just 5% of the apprenticeship cost, and the Government pays the rest.
SLAs were specifically designed to support individuals who are moving into senior or strategic management roles. This includes general managers, senior managers, section leaders, executives, directors, COO, CFO, CEO, CIO roles, and senior military officers.
Despite the sustained popularity of these SLA apprenticeships several ‘myths’ still exist:
■ Myth 1: Apprenticeships are only for young people about to start their career
One of the most pervasive myths is that apprenticeships are designed solely for young people at the beginning of their careers. This stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth. SLAs are specifically tailored to meet the needs of experienced professionals who are already in leadership positions or aspiring to move into senior roles. They focus on advanced skills, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities essential for effective high-level management, and for hitting organisations’ strategic aims.
■ Myth 2: Apprenticeships are only for trade or technical skills
Historically, the word apprenticeship was associated with hands-on trades and technical skills. These days the word apprenticeship has a far broader scope. SLAs have been designed to develop skills that are transferable across strategic management, innovation, governance and organisational leadership, providing a comprehensive education that goes far beyond operational and technical qualifications. Consequently, SLAs have been successfully developing strategic leaders across a wide range of sectors, including public, private and charity organisations in finance, healthcare and education.
■ Myth 3: Apprenticeships offer less value than traditional degree qualifications
Another common misconception is that apprenticeships are low level and therefore have less value than traditional degree qualifications. But SLAs lead to highly respected professional and academic qualifications, such as a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice. They can also lead to professional recognition, such as being recognised as a Chartered Fellow by the Chartered Management Institute. SLAs have been developed by representatives from both higher education and industry. They ensure that the content of every apprenticeship qualification is equivalent to traditional higher education qualifications as well as providing apprentices with practical approaches that help them to be more effective in their current roles.
■ Myth 4: Senior Leader Apprenticeships are only for large companies
There is a belief that SLAs are only useful for large corporations. At Cranfield, the content of the modules is tailored to ensure the learning fits the specific needs and contexts of smaller organisations as well as larger. There is also a belief that only large corporations, with large apprenticeship levy pots, can afford to send their staff on SLAs. While it is true that larger organisations have bigger levy pots, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also access apprenticeships. At Cranfield, there is the additional option of a ‘levy gift’ from Santander which will fund the apprenticeship for any organisation who has insufficient funds to support their employees’ needs.
■ Myth 5: Apprenticeships do not offer career progression
A further misconception is that apprenticeships do not result in the same career progression in comparison to traditional education pathways. On the contrary, SLAs are purposely designed with career advancement in mind. They equip individuals to not only take on those higher-level responsibilities within their organisations, but also learn how to make themselves more visible and demonstrate they are capable of those strategic positions. Many senior leaders who have completed Cranfield apprenticeships report significant career progression; with many being promoted either during or shortly after completing their apprenticeship.
■ Myth 6: Apprenticeships are easier than traditional qualifications
SLAs can be perceived as easier options compared to traditional educational qualifications, but every SLA is rigorous and demanding, requiring a significant commitment from apprentices. The design of the Cranfield ‘Senior Leader Executive Programme’ ensures that every apprentice experiences academically robust learning, requiring both theoretical and critical thinking skills, with practical application and real-world problem solving.
SLAs continue to provide a rigorous, effective and innovative approach to addressing leadership and management challenges across a range of business sectors and industries. They were designed by employers to address skill shortages, and ensure that individuals had the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours to make effective and long-lasting strategic change with their organisations. The combination of academic rigour with practical experience is the cornerstone of these programmes working for both the individual and the organisation. By debunking these common myths, we can better appreciate the value and potential of SLAs in cultivating the next generation of strategic leaders. Whether you are an individual looking to advance your career or an organisation, of any size and within any sector, and with any quantity of funds in your levy pot, seeking to enhance your leadership pipeline, SLAs offer a viable and valuable path forward.
Cranfield Executive Development is a specialist team that provides a high-touch, end-to-end provision model to support leaders’ and organisational development, which is constantly aligned to future skills needs and the current challenges facing organisations.
Working within an award-winning business school and a university renowned for its impact on industry, Cranfield brings those unique features to its solutions. Its purpose is to enhance the success of every single organisation and leader it works with.
Independently verified for quality you can trust, Cranfield offers senior leader apprenticeships, custom programmes, face-to-face and online open executive programmes, business simulations, and consultancy.
Discover more about the Cranfield Level 7 Senior Leader Executive Programme:
This article was first published in All Things Business | UK Business News Publication
