What level of management qualifications is right for you

Before starting a management course that leads to a management qualification it is important to choose the correct level of management study. Deciding which is the best level can be difficult and your decision will need to take into account a number of different factors:

·       Current job role

·       Previous experience

·       General standard of education

·       Time availability

The different levels of management qualifications can be broadly described as:

Team Leader Level 2 

Team Leaders are part of the team they lead. They usually undertake similar tasks to their team and being the team leader is an added responsibility. They may be involved in work allocation and developing the team, but decisions in connection with finance, employment or discipline are referred to the next level up.

First Line Management Level 3 

First Line Managers may also do the same work as team members but their management role is the most important part of the job. Such managers are often involved in planning for periods of up to a year, and are involved in the decision making process in respect of recruitment and discipline. They may also have some budgetary responsibility.

Management and Leadership Level 5 

Being a manager is the primary or most important job of a Middle Manager. Their role clearly distinguishes them from those they manage.  Any other work tends to be of a specialist technical, professional or similar nature.

With a fair degree of autonomy to make decisions and changes, they have responsibility for ensuring that people, equipment, buildings etc. are used effectively, and for making recommendations for future investment in resources and/or a revised pattern of resource utilisation.

Strategic Management and Leadership  

Level 7 (postgraduate) 

Senior Managers reporting to the CEO, Board of Directors or similar, are accountable for the long-term performance of those who report to them.  They play an active part in planning activities for several years ahead.

They rarely become involved in operational problems other than the most significant or those involving important customers and suppliers. Senior Managers often have wide powers to negotiate contracts and significant financial authority.

Information on management qualification levels provided courtesy of Blueprint Education and Training Services Limited. Source: www.managers.gb.com. A free diagnostic is available on their website to enable you to decide which level of management qualification to study.