What Qualifications do I Need to be a Manager?

Mon 29 Apr 2024

Share:

While managers aren’t legally required to hold a qualification, we know that employers are seeking candidates who have qualifications in management.

A recent report from the Chartered Management Institute shows that ineffective managers have a deep impact on employees, including on their motivation, satisfaction and likelihood to leave their job. These findings show the pivotal role that well-trained managers play in a business.

Research shows 59% of managers supervising one to two employees state they received no training, while 41% of managers overseeing three to five employees make the same claim.

The lack of training among managers is becoming a significant concern, potentially impacting employee performance and organisational effectiveness. Those who have a management qualification are desirable candidates for employment in the management industry.

So which qualifications are the best for training managers and helping them seek employment?

In this blogpost we’ll be discussing three CMI qualifications:

Learn about what these three courses entail and how they help develop management skills.

What does a manager do?

Before we discuss what qualifications you need to become a successful manager, it's important to understand what makes a good manager.

Good management training means you hone your skills to effectively fulfil the following tasks:

Lead and motivate the team
Plan goals and strategies
Assign tasks and manage resources
Make decisions based on data
Communicate effectively
Solve problems
Evaluate and develop employees
Resolve conflict
Manage finances
Identify and manage risks.

The type of skills you develop depends on the management course you do. We’ll help you understand which management courses there are and how they differ.

What skills do managers need?

To become a successful manager, you need the right skills to lead effectively. You can develop some skills on the job through experience, but a management course will give you all the skills you need to excel at your role and secure higher positions.

Essential people management skills include:

Leading and inspiring others
Clear communication
Problem solving
Making wise, tactical choices
Planning and delegating tasks effectively
Being flexible and adaptable through change
Working together as a team
Resolving conflicts effectively
Planning for the future
Emotional intelligence.

If you want to develop these skills and show employers you have put in the work to acquire them, a CMI management course will help you achieve effective management and employment.

Level 3 CMI Management course

A CMI Level 3 qualification in Principles of Management and Leadership is the key for you securing entry-level management roles. The course does a brilliant job of preparing individuals for the challenges of leadership and is available via three routes, depending on your needs and goals.

These routes include:
Award - 1 unit
Certificate - 3 units
Diploma - 8 units

Here’s a list of units, and what you’ll learn:

Personal Development:

Develop skills for personal and professional growth
Create effective development plans.

Management and Leadership Principles:

Learn essential management and leadership skills
Understand how organisations operate.

Team Management:

Build high-performing teams
Manage teams to achieve goals.

Stakeholder Communication:

Build relationships with stakeholders
Communicate effectively to achieve results.

Project Contribution:

Manage projects effectively
Handle risks and stakeholder expectations.

Daily Activities Management:

Prioritise tasks and set objectives
Monitor outcomes for success.

Budget and Resource Management:

Manage budgets and resources efficiently
Support organisational operations.

Data and Information Management:

Analyse data and make informed decisions
Report findings accurately.

Volunteer Management:

Support and motivate volunteers
Address challenges positively.

The CMI Level 3 qualification has been a game-changer for me. It gave me a solid foundation in management principles and practical strategies that I could implement right away. Thanks to this qualification, I've become a more effective leader, capable of guiding my team towards success. It's boosted my confidence and opened up new opportunities for career growth.

If you want to get your foot in the door of the management industry, the Level 3 CMI course in Management is perfect for you!

Level 5 CMI Management course

If you’re looking to advance in your management career and want to take on more significant leadership roles or improve on certain aspects of management, you should consider the Level 5 CMI management course.

Unlike the Level 3 course, which focuses on foundational management principles, the Level 5 qualification delves deeper into advanced management concepts, strategic planning, and decision-making processes.

Here’s a list of units, and what you’ll learn:

Reflective Practice for Development:

Analyse performance and decision-making
Identify opportunities for growth through reflection.

Management and Leadership Principles:

Evaluate organisational structure and governance
Promote a culture of trust and respect.

Developing and Leading Individuals and Teams:

Lead and manage teams effectively
Support and motivate teams to exceed expectations.

Managing Stakeholder Relationships:

Build sustainable stakeholder relationships
Overcome challenges in stakeholder management.

Managing Projects for Results:

Plan, implement, and manage projects successfully
Evaluate methods and tools for project management.

Creating and Delivering Operational Plans:

Translate organisational objectives into operational plans
Monitor progress and report on outcomes effectively.

Managing Finance:

Manage budgets and resources efficiently
Ensure organisational efficiency and effectiveness.

Managing Change:

Evaluate types and reasons for organisational change
Apply theoretical models for change management professionally.

The CMI Level 5 qualification has truly transformed my management capabilities. It's provided advanced insights into leadership and strategic planning, enabling me to excel in my role and drive impactful change within my organisation.

CMI Level 5 Certificate in Project Management

If you're a manager in a business with responsibilities for overseeing projects, the CMI Project Management course is tailored to suit your needs. Unlike traditional project management qualifications, this course takes a holistic approach to project management, catering to managers who handle projects alongside their regular duties.

It's not solely aimed at technical project managers but rather focuses on equipping managers with the skills needed to effectively manage projects within a business context.

Here’s a list of units, and what you’ll learn:

Managing Projects to Achieve Results

Understanding the role of projects in delivering organisational strategy
Processes for initiating, planning, and managing projects
Factors contributing to effective project management
Planning project activities
Implementing and managing project activities
Building stakeholder relationships
Managing resources and risk
Monitoring progress and reporting outcomes.

Conducting a Management Project

How to plan a management project
How to conduct a management project.

The CMI Project Management course has changed how I approach and lead projects. With its practical insights and techniques, I've achieved notable success in delivering projects efficiently and effectively.

Apply to the best management course

Take the next step in your career by applying to MOL’s CMI courses today. Gain valuable skills in leadership, management, and team development, ensuring your success in the workplace.

Choose the course that best suits your experience and aspirations to unlock a world of opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Apply now and invest in your future with CMI.