In this article, we’ll explore how non-manufacturing apprenticeships can transform your manufacturing company. Read on to discover why apprenticeship training is crucial for new managers, senior managers and directors.
As manufacturing and engineering companies grow, people are promoted because they excel at their job and the company’s management can see potential in that individual.
What can sometimes be forgotten is that because someone is great in a manufacturing or engineering role, they may not naturally be a great manager as their career progresses.
Whether it’s people management and leadership skills they need or quality management skills, non-manufacturing apprenticeships could be just the ticket.
Traditional Management Styles
Many companies that have a senior management team of a certain age, particularly where the company has grown organically over a long period of time, have never implemented management training.
It used to be thought that ‘leaders were born and not trained’.
Now, whilst someone can have natural leadership qualities, unless they are trained to use them in the correct way… well, the results could be disastrous!
Fortunately, companies are now waking up to the fact that traditional ‘leadership styles’ really don’t wash with the younger generations, and, in many cases, a lack of succession planning is leaving companies with no one ready to take over when the directors retire.
It also means that the senior management team are functional and running things how they always have… which isn’t great for moving the company forward to ensure it stays competitive in in very rapidly evolving world.
Manufacturing and Engineering Apprenticeships
Every manufacturing and engineering company is aware of apprenticeships, whether at a further or higher education level.
Many recruit apprentices each year.
The target figure that is banded around by the relevant skills councils and bodies is to have 10% of the workforce as apprentices – for some, this is achievable, for others, it is a figure to work towards.
Multiple Apprenticeships
Some employers are not aware that once an apprentice has completed their original apprenticeship, they can go on to take another at a higher level or in a different subject.
As long as the learning will be significantly beneficial to the apprentice, demonstrated by a skills gap analysis, funding will be available.
By using this route, you can upskill your manufacturing and engineering apprentices as your business requires.
Non-manufacturing apprenticeships for manufacturing and engineering team members
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, often people are promoted because they are good at the job they do, and management can see potential in them as individuals.
Traditionally, in all sectors, this is how management teams were formed.
However, and this also applies to all sectors, this led to managers and directors who had no management and leadership training and quite frankly those departments and companies were very often not nice places to work.
The odd person managed well; however, the vast majority were either not nice to work for or a total push-over!
Breaking the cycle
So how do we break the cycle of bad management in manufacturing and engineering?
Well, it’s really quite simple.
Train people to be great managers and leaders.
And that’s the reason for calling this article ‘Non-Manufacturing Apprenticeships for Manufacturing Companies’…
When someone from the shopfloor or workshop is promoted to Shift Manager or Team Leader – put them through a Level 3 CMI Team Leader Apprenticeship.
When they’re promoted to Head of Department, then there’s the Level 5 CMI Operations Manager Apprenticeship.
And, when they make that final jump to Director, the Level 7 CMI Senior Leader Apprenticeship is perfect.
The impact of training your managers – no matter what their department’s function – to be great managers and leaders of people cannot be underestimated.
The business will see the positive results quickly!
Other non-manufacturing apprenticeships
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Leadership Apprenticeships are a must, in our eyes, for a hugely wide variety of job roles – from shift supervisor upwards.
But there are lots of other non-manufacturing apprenticeships which may be incredibly useful for your organisation.
Whyy? Change offers accredited apprenticeships in the following areas, from levels 3 through to 7:
And of course, Lean & Six Sigma.
How do you know which apprenticeships are right for your team?
There is so much information and so many options out there, it can be difficult to know where to start.
That’s why we come to meet with you and learn about your business and team.
We undertake a Training Needs Analysis with you so that you have a clear picture of what training would help you move both your team and your company forward.
Often, what you need can be different to your initial thoughts.
We have saved companies £00,000s which they would have spent on unnecessary or inappropriate training.
If you require funding, we can help with applications… and we guarantee one thing, if it won’t transform your team member and business, we won’t recommend the transaction.
If you would like to upskill your team with non-manufacturing apprenticeships, accredited short courses, or a bespoke course, then please get in touch today. Simply fill out the form below to get started.
