Two Leadership & Management apprentices from Solihull College & University Centre have praised their tutors for helping them progress in their management roles.
Stephanie O’Neill and Paul Hanna undertook and completed Chartered Management Institute (CMI) apprenticeships.
Stephanie completed the year-long leadership and management apprenticeship whilst working at Woodlands Road Surgery in Northfield. The apprenticeship aims to provide learners with the knowledge and skills required to progress in their career and on to further study.
The apprenticeship has increased Stephanie’s confidence. She comments: “I have become more proactive and creative, in particular with problem solving. I am far more autonomous and look to provide a solution, rather than looking to my manager to find one. As well as helping to enhance my current skills, the apprenticeship and diploma has allowed me to learn new skills such as managing a budget.”
Stephanie studied at the College every Thursday and found the sessions useful: “I have learnt from people outside the NHS and this has helped me look at how to solve problems differently. At times I would return from the classroom sessions and apply what I had learned to a situation I was facing at work. This has benefited my skills as a manager and has made me feel a lot happier in my work role”.
Paul completed the Operations/Departmental Manager Level 5 apprenticeship and adds: “The professional team at the College led us through a wide range of subjects across management. I learned so much that has helped me understand and improve how I manage in my organisation. This self-reflection was the most powerful effect of the programme.”
Stephanie also praises the teaching staff for their support: “All the tutors at the College are extremely knowledgeable, helpful and supportive. They always take time to talk to you and help with any difficulties. It has been a great course to be part of and I would definitely recommend this to others in the future. I was sceptical at first but I have found that the course has changed me in my approach to my job role and made me a far more effective manager.”
Paul admits that working in the NHS in these unprecedented times has meant adapting rapidly to a changing situation: “This has been extremely challenging, but the apprenticeship gave me the confidence to make sense of what we needed to do, because we had not only looked at managing change but also managing through uncertainty. I would thoroughly recommend the programme for all managers, however experienced, there is always more to learn.”
