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²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Leicester (²ÝÁñÊÓƵ) has introduced a new degree apprenticeship programme which can accelerate the development of business leaders.

The Senior Leader Master’s Degree Apprenticeship was launched at the Leicester Castle Business School this week with an initial 13 participants taking part in a two-day induction.

The work-based programme, which is delivered in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute, is aimed at senior professionals and managers from private, public and third sector organisations and lasts for 18-24 months.

Successful apprentices will achieve a master’s degree in MSc Management, a CMI level 7 award in Leadership and Management and fast track to Chartered Manager status.

Aysha Cassim, who has previously studied at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, now works as a graduate management trainee at University Hospitals of Leicester and is hoping that this programme will build on what she has already learned and enable her to become a good leader.

She said: “I studied leadership during my degree and I thought that a lot of the principles, practices and policies could be transferrable and I could bring them to a leadership role.

“I’d like to be able to use it in different contexts to help people and make a difference, so this course ties it all together.”

Andrew Riddick, who has been employed by the NHS for five years and now works at University Hospitals of Leicester as a graduate trainee, believes that this programme will help to develop excellent future leaders.

“There’s a great need in the NHS, as there is in most organisations, for the next generation of leaders,” he explained.

“How you build people up and equip them with the necessary skills and abilities to do a lot of those roles is not always straightforward, so a programme like this is fantastic. It’s ideal for catering to the needs of those individuals who have great potential in an organisation but need the additional training.”

After starting a , Amir Sayani has enrolled on the course to help the growth of his business but also to continue his own professional development.

He said: “When I came across this apprenticeship programme I read into it and thought it would be a good way to develop my skillset as a leader, get other ideas from other industries or theories and implement them within the business to develop other people as well as myself.

“Hopefully it will make a better business both for our customers and also for our staff members.

“Growing the business is one part but there’s a personal development aspect. This seemed like a good opportunity to personally develop, gain a professional qualification in management and impart that onto the business to make it better.”

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Programme leader Amanda Moron-Garcia believes the course will equip the participants to be effective leaders.

She said: “The programme is perfect for potential senior leaders to grow and develop themselves and they can all learn from each other because it’s a diverse cohort.

“The backing from CMI (Chartered Management Institute) is a great resource and the fact that they get a CMI award as well as the master’s award means that it’s a great opportunity for professional development.

“The programme is all about problem-solving, working together and learning how to be good senior leaders for the future.”

The university will be starting a further intake for the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship in May, which is aimed at those aspiring to management roles.