Middle managers play a vital role within any business. Their job is to bridge the gap between executive leadership and frontline employees. Despite their importance, middle management faces many challenges when it comes to receiving adequate training which leads to businesses facing difficulties in hiring and retaining qualified and experienced staff.
Understanding the Skills Gap in Middle Management
As the business world is very fast paced, it’s not surprising that training, at times, is not a top priority. Sometimes managers are promoted into their new role due to skills, experience and seniority within their current role. However, many businesses fail to recognise that skills in one role do not translate into management positions and that management skills need to be learnt through training.
Through this, a skills gap emerges. While some managers may possess some skills and experience that are transferrable to management roles, many do not. This issue leads to poor management in the company and lack of employee satisfaction for both the managers and their subordinates.
The Importance of Management Training
Management training plays a vital role in bridging the skills gap in middle management. It equips managers with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead their teams effectively.
Build Communication Skills
Effective communication skills are essential for managers of all levels but especially within middle management where they are expected to communicate with colleagues of all levels. While communication skills are valuable to all employees, receiving management specific communication training is essential for middle managers to be able to effectively and confidently communicate with their team members.
Improve Decision-Making Abilities
Middle managers are often required to make critical decisions that can impact the entire organisation. Management training courses teach managers how to analyse data, weigh options, and make informed decisions that align with business objectives.
Strengthen Leadership Capabilities
Leadership is a fundamental skill for middle managers, as they are responsible for guiding their teams towards achieving organisational goals. Training programmes help managers develop leadership qualities such as empathy, adaptability, and resilience, enabling them to inspire and motivate their teams.
Future Leaders: A Solution to the Skills Gap
LMP Education has launched its brand-new pathway to management programme: Future Leaders. These programmes are designed to close the skill gap equipping your team with the tools to succeed.
LMP offers two unique management courses to suit your unique business need. Both programmes offer a CMI qualification upon completion so you can ensure your team is qualified to the highest industry standard. These courses offer structured learning experiences that focus on developing the skills required for effective middle management.
Our two programmes cover various topics, including leadership, communication and project management. By upskilling your team through the Future Leaders programme, middle managers can gain valuable insights and practical skills that enhance their performance.
The future leaders programme is fully funded through the apprenticeship levy allowing employers to train their staff at no cost.
The programmes currently on offer are:
Level 3 Team Leader
Typical Duration : 16 months
Training Method : Online learning
This training programme offers practical knowledge and skills from team leading through to project and resource management. Embedded within this programme are modules from the CMI (Chartered Institute of Management) and learners can apply for Foundation Chartered Manager status upon completion of this programme.
Learn decision making, communication and planning skills to support managing a team. Designed for supervisory or first line managers to help develop empathy, active listening and problem-solving skills.
Level 5 Operations Manager
Typical Duration : 20 months
Training Method : Online learning
This training programme delivers a broad range of practical management knowledge and skills to help learners develop as leaders. It provides a professional pathway for future development with eligibility for Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) or Chartered Manager (CMgr) status.
This programme teaches how to manage teams and projects in line with the organisation’s operational or departmental strategy. Designed for supervisors or managers looking to move to a more senior management role, this apprenticeship delivers a broad range of practical management knowledge and skills to give you the tools you need to develop further on your management journey.
Funded Training Programmes: Making Management Training Accessible
A barrier for many businesses when it comes to providing training to their team is cost. Training courses can be costly and many businesses may not have the budget to allow for them. One solution for this issue can be found through funded training programmes.
Funded training programmes make use of the apprenticeship levy, a UK tax on large employers which is used to fund apprenticeship training. This tax is payable by all employers with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million, at a rate of 0.5% of their total. The levy is paid into a central digital apprenticeship service (DAS) that employers can access. Employers can access the DAS whether they pay into the levy or not, as it’s there to support businesses of all sizes. Funding is available for both new and existing employees and the training must be delivered by an approved training provider.
Using apprenticeships or funded training programmes to hire new staff or upskill existing staff can be a cost-effective way for businesses to help enhance the skills of their team and empower new and existing talent.
Outside of the Future Leaders programme, LMP Education offer a variety of business and finance courses ideal for businesses from all sectors and size. Explore our range of funded training programmes.
Addressing the skills gap in middle management is essential for organisational success. By investing in management training, enrolling managers in management courses, and leveraging funded training programmes, businesses can equip their middle managers with the skills they need to excel. Investing in your teams’ skills will improve team performance, increase employee satisfaction, and drive business growth.
If you are interested in discussing our future leaders’ programmes or any other of our funded training programmes please book a discovery call.
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