Work Matters: Practical management - Everyone in line

The recent development of a second site for Lincolnshire Montessori is proving a spur to management training. With a number of promotions and many staff taking on new responsibilities, it was recognised that all needed to benefit from some formal training.

Now 13 members across the two sites are undertaking the Level 3 Award in First Line Management, accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).

On a practical level, having this many staff members studying at the same time is working well. Development manager Nathan Archer says it provides greater flexibility to juggle cover and team members at different levels are benefiting from working together.

The course looks at solving problems and making decisions; understanding and planning change in the workplace; building the team and understanding the communication process. Mr Archer says it is being 60 per cent funded by the Enhancement Fund - provided by Yorkshire Forward and the European Social Fund - and 40 per cent by the Graduate Leader Fund.

'Many members of staff were keen to further their qualifications and train together,' he says. 'They wanted to hone and develop skills in people management and were therefore keen to do this through the ILM qualification. They also felt more confident studying together.'

Because all the training takes place on a Saturday it is easy for team members from different sites to come together. Collaboration is useful for maintaining close links between the sites and supporting procedures such as induction that are carried out across both.

Accessing funding was relatively easy, according to Mr Archer. 'Through the NDNA we undertook a training needs analysis,' he says. 'When we had identified the courses we were interested in, local training provider CERT applied to the Enhancement Fund (Train to Gain Yorkshire & Humber) and secured 60 per cent of the cost of the course on our behalf. This was called the 'provider route', as the training provider applied for us.

'Training manager and EYP Jo Robinson took the lead on working with CERT on completing paperwork and liaising on the course itself. The remaining cost was paid for through the Graduate Leader Fund.'

The course is expected to fuel better understanding between different roles spanning areas such as the baby room and pre-school.

'There will be increased confidence in our roles, having explored teamwork and enhanced promotion opportunities,' says Mr Archer. 'We have a clear and well-communicated ladder of progression linked to qualifications and experience. This award will contribute positively to that.'

FURTHER INFORMATION

www.i-l-m.com.