Operations Managers are vital to the success of any organisation, large or small. They lead teams, manage projects, and ensure that day-to-day operations run smoothly and in line with company goals and legal requirements. Found across all sectors—from private and public to non-profit—this role is perfect for those who want to make a real impact through leadership, strategic thinking, and effective team management.
Qualification: CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management & Leadership (Optional at a reduced cost of £700)
Operations Managers are responsible for ensuring that teams deliver results efficiently, meet organisational goals, and operate within legal and policy frameworks. Whether managing day-to-day operations or overseeing strategic projects, Operations Managers provide the leadership and direction that keeps businesses running smoothly.
This Level 5 apprenticeship includes the CMI Diploma in Operations/Departmental Management and is delivered through a mix of workplace learning and weekly online classes. You'll be supported throughout your journey by a College Lecturer and an Apprenticeship Assessor, who will guide your development, help link your learning to real-world tasks, and support you in building a strong portfolio of evidence. You'll complete a minimum of 6 hours of off-the-job training each week through activities like webinars, workplace shadowing, and applied learning. Weekly curriculum sessions (approximately 4 hours) will run from September to June/July, with all materials available via the online Blackboard platform. This programme is ideal for aspiring leaders ready to take on responsibility and drive success within their organisations.
You will need exposure to relevant workplace experience in order to gather evidence that meets the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours outlined in the Professional Standard.
A management apprenticeship offers a powerful mix of hands-on experience, earning while learning, and gaining an industry-recognised qualification. You'll build key skills in leadership, communication, and project management, with strong employer support and real opportunities for career progression. It’s a cost-effective, practical route into management that also supports personal growth and valuable networking across the industry.
To be awarded the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management, learners are required to successfully complete the following units:
Core units:
Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context
Being equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to manage and lead in a variety of organisational settings is essential if an individual and their organisation are to succeed. This unit has been designed for learners who want to develop or sharpen their professional edge and enhance personal effectiveness. Learners will evaluate the impact of an organisation’s structure and governance on management and leadership. They will explore theoretical models, management and leadership styles and approaches designed to promote a culture of mutual trust, respect and support.
Principles of Developing, Managing and Leading Individuals and Teams to Achieve Success
Being equipped with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to manage and lead in a variety of organisational settings is essential if an individual and their organisation are to succeed. This unit has been designed for learners who want to develop or sharpen their professional edge and enhance personal effectiveness. Learners will evaluate the impact of an organisation’s structure and governance on management and leadership. They will explore theoretical models, management and leadership styles and approaches designed to promote a culture of mutual trust, respect and support.
Managing Projects to Achieve Results
The ability to manage projects is a vital skill for all managers. This unit focuses on the knowledge and skills required to manage projects successfully and overcome problems and challenges. It requires the learner to evaluate the methods and tools for planning tasks and activities, as well as knowing how to implement and manage project activities, build stakeholder relationships, manage resources and risk, monitor progress and report on outcomes.
Managing Change
Change is inevitable if an organisation is to maintain competitiveness and currency of practice. This unit has been designed to enable the learner to evaluate types and reasons for change within organisations and be able to select and apply theoretical models for its management. The purpose is not only to enable learners to develop the skills to manage change and achieve set objectives, but to do so in a professional manner with open and honest communication throughout the entire process.
Conducting a Management Project
Research into approaches to management and leadership can lead to dynamic results. Innovation, product development, performance improvement, change, customer service excellence, strategy and problem solving are just some of the results. Without research business can stagnate. The aim of the unit is for the learner to conduct management research which will have an impact on individual and/or organisational practice. It is expected that learners will plan and manage a genuine project in the workplace or an academic enquiry relevant to an identified business need or challenge.
Using Reflective Practice to Inform Personal and Professional Development
Reflective practice is an essential management tool which supports the development of knowledge, skills and behaviours in the workplace. By consciously analysing own performance, decision making, leadership and management skills (in different situational contexts); opportunities for on-going development can be identified. The aim of the unit is to equip learners with the understanding of the value of reflective practice, and how reflection can be used as the basis of a meaningful personal and professional development.
You will be assessed throughout the duration of your apprenticeship. Assessment methods include practical observations, knowledge assessments, assignments and projects.
To conclude your apprenticeship, you will complete an End-Point Assessment (EPA).
You will meet with your Apprenticeship Assessor every 4 weeks, remotely, for approximately one hour. During this session, your assessor will help you gather workplace evidence and link your curriculum learning with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) that make up the apprenticeship standard.
Weekly curriculum sessions will begin in September and conclude in June/July. Each week, you’ll log in remotely for about 4 hours (excluding school holidays). These sessions are designed to help you complete your qualification, the Level 5 CMI Diploma. While the live sessions are not recorded for GDPR reasons, all supporting resources and materials will be available in the remote ‘Blackboard’ area.
Upon successful completion of the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship, you could go on to complete the Level 6 CMDA or the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship. Job opportunities this apprenticeship may open include:
