The Certificate uses a blended learning approach to build practical skills on the basis of good practice and underpinning knowledge. It consists of five blended learning modules each comprising:

• an intensive 1-day face-to-face workshop
• individual and collaborative online activities
• self-managed learning using both hard copy and online resources
• email and telephone mentoring from a personal tutor
• a practical work based assignment.

In total, these elements represent approximately 50 hours of study per module (including the time needed for the assessed assignment), but only requires one day out of the office.

Induction

The start date for each module is 3-4 weeks before the face-to-face workshop. Before this workshop you will be provided with a workbook which provides the underpinning knowledge and will have a tutor briefing by phone.

Students must undertake preliminary study and participate in online discussions and activities prior to the face-to-face workshop.

Module 1
Managing Your Own Performance – ensuring maximum impact

This Module is designed to help you analyse and understand your impact on a team’s performance and to devise and implement strategies and plans intended to improve performance.

Module 2
Effective Performance – working together

The line manager’s role is built on communication, acting as a channel between senior managers and the team and ensuring the engagement of a broad range of stakeholders. This Module is intended to help you analyse and understand your effectiveness in working with others, plan positive actions to improve collaboration in a way that makes a real difference to performance, analyse stakeholder relationships and recommend strategies for maintaining or improving those relationships.

Module 3
Effective Recruitment, Selection and Retention – building an effective team

Staff turnover is expensive and time consuming so retaining the right staff is a key determinant of overall performance.

This Module examines the principles and practices which support the line manager’s role in effective recruitment and retention and ensures HR policy and compliance issues are understood and integrated in day-to-day practice.

Module 4
Innovation, Leadership and Change – creating a productive environment

Today’s managers have to create an environment that encourages innovation as well as effective working.

This Module will examine the approaches and techniques for creating a positive environment within the context and constraints of the organisation.

Module 5
Managing for High Performance – building and developing capabilities and competencies

Building the capabilities and competencies of the team ensures future performance targets can be met.

Identifying what development is needed and opportunities for that development requires analysis and creativity. Trouble shooting and tackling individual and team performance issues are also covered in this Module, ensuring students know how to tackle problems not just what to do.