Structure of the qualification | Assessment | What exactly is involved? | What do I need to do first? | What do I need to produce? | How is my work assessed? | What support will I have? | Policies and Codes of Practice

Why this particular qualification?

The Level 3 First Line Management qualifications are designed for managers who have some managerial knowledge and experience but wish to further develop their management skills.

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Structure of the qualification

The Level 3 First Line Management qualifications are made up of a number of units. Each unit is worth a number of credits. The approximate number of hours each unit should take you to complete are called guided learning hours (GLH).

Guided learning hours are made up of:

  • e-learning
  • face-to-face courses
  • work-based projects
  • prior learning

Within your First Line Management qualification there is the choice of studying for two different levels. The choice of level will be based on factors such as your current job role and previous managerial experience. The two levels are:

  • Award - the Level 3 Award in First Line Management looks at essential knowledge and skills, and the roles and responsibilities of managers.
  • Certificate - the Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management covers a broader knowledge of effective management while focusing on the specific management areas appropriate to you and your business.

To achieve an Award you need to complete any combination of units to a minimum of 6 credits, with approximately 20-25 guided learning hours.

To achieve a Certificate you need to complete any combination of units to a minimum of 13 credits, with approximately 45-50 guided learning hours.

If you gain an Award in your qualification, you have the option to progress to a Certificate.

 

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Assessment

To achieve success in a particular unit you need to show that you are able to meet the assessment criteria. There are a number of ways in which you can do this. These include your day-to-day work activities and the learning opportunities that you undertake as part of your normal professional development.

Many of the things you do as part of your development and applying this to your work will give you evidence that shows you fulfil the assessment criteria. How you get your evidence assessed is in the section: How do I get my work assessed?

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What exactly is involved?

The accredited qualification pathway sits beside the non-accredited pathway. This means that you will be undertaking some of the same learning opportunities as colleagues who have chosen not to follow the accreditation route. The difference is you will submit your evidence to show how you have applied this learning and met the CMI standards.

The accredited qualification pathway is designed to lead to a qualification so there will be some extra activity you need to do to provide the evidence that you meet the assessment criteria.

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What do I need to do first?

You will have already agreed the level and units you are aiming for with your Line Manager, and which development opportunities are the most appropriate for you.

Here is a list of qualifying units available at Level 3

 

Level 3

Qualifying units mapped to Management Essentials

Credits

GLH

Unit 3001

Personal Development as a First Line Manager - this unit focuses on the development of a personal development plan, how to maintain effective working relationships and safeguarding the welfare of a team.

6

20

Unit 3005

Developing individuals and teams - this unit focuses on the compentencies of individuals and teams alongside leading a team to achieve business objectives. 

6

20

Unit 3006

Recruitment and Selection - this unit focuses on the purpose of and process of recruitment and selection.

6

20

Unit 3008

Improving team performance - this unit focuses on performance, how to improve it and how to take action to support it.

7

20

Unit 3010

Being a leader - this unit focuses on the requirements of a leader and the understanding of leadership styles and qualities. 

6

25

Unit 3017

Introduction to first line management - this unit focuses on the role of the first line manager, meeting stakeholder needs and the development of working relationships.

6

30

 

 

 

 

Each unit lists a number of learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

Discussions with your Line Manager are an integral part of your personal development planning, and they are a key part of your progress towards your qualification. The notes you make within and around these discussions provide evidence for assessment.

There is a template for you to use to make notes of these discussions.

Information on what to do with your notes is provided in the section: How is my work assessed?

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What do I need to produce?

Each qualification, Award or Certificate, has its own requirement for evidence. You will be guided to the evidence field for that qualification by clicking on the link to the units you have enrolled for. You will find these links in the password-protected area.

Each unit section will give you details of the process you need to follow and any documentation you need to complete.

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How is my work assessed?

You will be provided with the evidence documents that you need to complete.

The assessment process considers your evidence and is specific to each qualification. This evidence is drawn from your day-to-day activities and the learning journey you are undertaking.

The assessment will use the following:

  • Naturally occurring documents completed as part of your job role
  • Evidence produced through carrying out learning activities and exercises outlined in a Civil Service Learning Workplace Learning Activity
  • Completed exercises in a workbook
  • Activities and action points recorded when completing e-learning
  • Attendance at workshops and outcomes of activities completed as part of face-to-face workshops (for example, writing a SMART team objective based on organisation information based on an exercise)
  • Personal development action plan completed during a workshop
  • Feedback from skills practise sessions
  • Discussions with your Line Manager
  • Written answers to questions

Your work can take up tp 6 weeks to be assessed, as it has to go through three stages of marking. The first being the marking of your work, the second is the verification of your work and the assessors marking and the third stage is sign off by CMI.

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What support will I have?

Premier Partnership

As well as handling the technical aspects of the accreditation process, Premier Partnership is committed to providing additional learner support, for example if you have any queries about your registration with CMI or if you have any special requirements.

You can contact Premier Partnership directly at quals@premier-partnership.co.uk or by telephoning the help desk on 01302 361226.

Telephone enquiries will be responded to in normal working hours (09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday) or for messages left outside of normal working hours within one working day.

Emails will normally be responded to within 48 hours.

CMI website

As a registered learner with CMI you have access to a wealth of learning resources. These include:

  • Quick find study resources directly linked to your qualification
  • Access to checklists, e-learning tools and much more

You can access this through the Management Direct resource website

Your Line Manager

Your Line Manager already plays an important role in your professional development. As you progress towards your qualification, your Line Manager will support you in a number of ways. These include:

  • Approving your request to start the pathway
  • Agreeing with you what are the most appropriate development opportunities
  • Having regular discussions with you, including reviews of any workshops you have attended or learning activities that you have undertaken

The Line Manager Guide clarifies their role in supporting you through the qualification.

Civil Service Learning

You will already be aware of the wide range of learning opportunities available to you on the Civil Service Learning portal. These include:

  • Workshops and events
  • Workplace learning activities
  • Workbooks and crib guides
  • E-learning

 

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Policies and Codes of Practice

Both CMI and Premier Partnership work in accordance with a number of policies and codes of practice to ensure that they carry out their responsibilities in a fair, equitable and legal manner.

Policies and procedures that are particularly relevant to you as a learner are:

CMI

  • Complaints and Appeals Policy
  • Complaints and Appeals Procedure
  • Reasonable Adjustments Policy
  • Diversity and Equality Policy

 

Premier Partnership

  • Complaints and Appeals Policy
  • Diversity and Equality Policy

Policies and procedures are based on ACAS guidelines and codes of practice.You may request copies of these by contacting Premier Partnership directly at quals@premier-partnership.co.uk

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Copyright 2013 Premier Partnership