If you are working in a management role or are aiming at doing so, it may be worth considering your options for qualifications in management. Having a qualification can dramatically increase your career prospects and may not take as much time away from your current work as you might think. It can also lead to further opportunities for higher education that could add even more weight to your CV.
What are the benefits of having a qualification in management?
Currently in the UK, only one in five managers have a recognised qualification, and employers are looking for candidates with these on their CVs, so having one could mean the difference between getting called back for an interview to your dream job and not. While getting qualified, you will also have the opportunity to improve your interpersonal skills, your self-awareness and your ability to think strategically and prioritise effectively.
Overall, the benefits of getting a qualification in management are many-fold. You’ll find you have increased general performance, an enhanced professional reputation among colleagues and when applying for new jobs as well as many career prospects as a result. Plus, many of the skills you learn from doing it, you’ll be able to transfer to your team, helping them to improve too.
What different levels are there?
There are five levels of management qualifications, from 2 to 7. Level 2 is aimed at individuals working as or aspiring to be team leaders, level 3 is for junior managers or supervisors, levels 4 and 5 for middle managers, level 6 for senior managers or directors of small businesses, and level 7 is for senior leaders or CEOs.
When considering which level is right for you, don’t think only about what position you’re currently working in, but also where you’d like to be in the future. For example, if you’re working as a junior manager but are aiming for a senior manager position within the next couple of years, consider going for a level 5 or 6 qualification.
Where can I get a qualification in management?
While many universities offer part time courses for management qualifications, both in person and as distance learning courses, you may find that taking a course directly with a dedicated management company to be more effective. These companies will generally offer flexible programs that you can fit around your schedule and skill set. They will also be able to tailor the qualifications to suit your needs and requirements, something that universities on the whole cannot do.
Typical modules for management qualification courses include how to manage ideas in a team, ethical organisation, risk management and carrying out management projects as well as issues relating to administration and recruitment.
If you choose to get qualified through a management company, assessment is carried out through practical assignments based on the work you’re already doing. This means that you’ll spend the minimum amount of time away from your work while getting qualified and that you are studying within the context of your current job to maximise the usefulness of what you’re learning.
What comes next?
Once you have your management qualification and have worked your way up to your desired position, you may wish to consider upgrading it in order to open even more avenues for your career advancement. One option is to become a chartered manager, the highest status achievable in the profession that is highly valued across multiple sectors. Doing this is relatively straightforward, requiring you to complete an online application followed by an assessment with an assigned assessor and a formal telephone interview. The longest this whole process could take is one year, though it’s possible to complete it in as little as two months.
Another possibility is to upgrade your qualification to the equivalent of a university degree. If you have a level 5 qualification, topping it up to a bachelor’s degree takes roughly one year, while if you have a level 7 qualification, it’ll typically take you six to nine months to upgrade it to an MBA.
Putting in the time and effort to getting a qualification in management could be the best career move you make. With multiple options out there, make sure you do your research in advance and carefully consider what you want to get out of the qualification in the end.
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