Supply Chain Leadership & Management

This postgraduate apprenticeship offers apprentices an in-depth personal and professional development programme designed to transform them into confident and informed supply chain leaders.Through study of a Postgraduate Diploma and work place application, apprentices will gain a broad knowledge of management and leadership topics, covering areas such as strategy, financial management, human resource management and leadership, all viewed from the perspective of strategic management of the supply chain and explored in the company of fellow supply chain professionals.

With the option to progress from the Postgraduate Diploma to an MSc in Supply Chain Leadership & Management, learners will be able to further specialise their learning and add value to their organisations through in-depth exploration of a business issue or opportunity.

This programme comes under the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship standard. It is a two-year programme, including the End Point Assessment, and consists of a total 120 credits. Candidates who complete this programme will be eligible to apply to progress onto a full MSc qualification.

Who is this apprenticeship for?

The Supply Chain Leadership and Management Apprenticeship is for supply chain specialists or managers with a desire to further their knowledge and skill base, develop their careers and to progress to senior leadership positions. Apprentices can range from new employees with prior experience to existing staff who have grown into their role. Responsibilities can include leading people, projects, operations and/or services to deliver long term results.

Programme content

Programme content is taught at postgraduate level and includes seven core modules covering essential business and management topics, explored within the context of the global supply chain:

• The Business Landscape
• Strategic Financial Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Human Resources Management
• Mastering Strategy
• Developing Leadership Capability
• Research Methods

Apprentices also have the opportunity to select elective module to deepen their knowledge of a key business area and specialise their apprenticeship, including but not limited to:

• Engineering Programme Management
• Customer Engagement and Operational Effectiveness

 

 

Qualifications

By completing this programme, apprentices will be awarded with:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Supply Chain Leadership & Management
• Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship certificate
• Chartered Manager status from the CMI
• Level 7 ILM Certificate in Leadership & Management

To be considered for this programme, Aston University expects that applications will have at least five years in a management position plus one of the following:

• A UK honours degree, or
• An equivalent overseas degree recognised by Aston University, or
• A degree-level professional qualification

Candidates without one of the above but with extensive management experience and clear evidence of career progression will be considered on a case by case basis.

Apprentices must also meet the following criteria:

• Be employed in a job in England with responsibilities aligned with the degree content
• Have a minimum of Grade C/4 in GCSE Mathematics and English (or Level 2 equivalent) by the end of the programme
• Be a UK/EU/EAA resident for at least three years prior to starting the course.

To progress onto an MSc, applications must complete all 120 credits of the apprenticeship programme

The course is delivered through a blend of short learning blocks on campus (typically 18 days per year)and remote learning, led by experienced teachers with a professional background.Face-to-face study sessions give apprentices the opportunity to enrich their learning through discussion of current business issues and to network with fellow supply chain leaders.

Remote learning is delivered through our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, where candidates can engage with module content, participate in live seminars and communicate with their peers. There is also an extensive online library of content to support their studies.

Assessment

Learners will be assessed through applied assignments. While there are no traditional examinations, candidates will be assessed through work-based projects that give them the opportunity to implement their learning and make a positive impact in their organisation. In the final year, apprentices will complete a Strategic Business Proposal, requiring them to apply all the theory and skills gained throughout the apprenticeship.

The portfolio

Throughout the programme apprentices will curate a personal and professional development portfolio. The purpose of the portfolio is to showcase the skills, knowledge and behaviours develop through the programme and how the apprentice has applied them to their role in the organisation.

Every apprentice is allocated a skills coach who will support their learning and skills development and provide advice and guidance on the development of the portfolio.

The end point assessment

The final stage of the apprenticeship is the end point assessment. The apprentice will meet with an independent assessor from the CMI to discuss their Strategic Business Proposal and the impact it had on their organisation. They will also review their development journey and how their portfolio has documented it. Finally there will be a short interview allowing the candidate time to share how the programme has helped them to grow and develop. After the interview, based both on the apprentice’s performance and portfolio, the assessors will award the apprentice either a fail, pass, merit or distinction for the apprenticeship.

Progression to an MSC

This programme enables candidates who have completed the apprenticeship to progress to an MSc inSupply Chain Leadership & Management. Apprentices can apply to progress to this pathway during the apprenticeship and will automatically be accepted as long as they complete the apprenticeship stage. MSc students will be allocated a research supervisor to support their learning.

The MSc programme features an in-depth project, typically completed over a 12 month period, which focuses on a current business challenge or opportunity within the field of supply chain.

The cost of the apprenticeship is £14,000 covered by the apprenticeship levy. The progression to an MSc costs £4,000 and is not covered by the apprenticeship levy. This can be self-funded, funded by the employer, or co-funded.

If you are already employed in this industry, you should discuss with your manager if your organisation is working in partnership with Aston University. If they are, you will make an application through your employer.

If your employer is not yet an Aston partner, they can get in touch with our Apprenticeships Team to find out more information about working with us.