COURSE

L4 Apprenticeship Standard for Junior Management Consultant

Management consultants provide business advice to public, private and not-for-profit organisations. This usually involves helping them solve a challenge of some kind, such as how to grow their business, how to make it more efficient or how to organise and structure itself in a different way. Some specialist consultancies have a particular focus. For example, how to write proposals for new work, or how to change an organisation or how to develop their workforce.

Others are more generalist and you could work across several different types of projects.

Aims of this qualification

The aim of this Apprenticeship will be to provide the learner with a sound understanding of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a Junior Management Consultant. The learner may be involved in conducting research, analysing and interpreting data or be responsible for organising the logistics of the project. As the learner develops and progresses, they may be involved in contributing to report writing which uses statistical evidence to support recommendations and conclusions or support the creation of slide decks to deliver key messages to clients. The learner also becomes more focused on a particular type of service and is able to offer financial, strategic, operational consultancy support within various sectors.

Job Roles this qualification is suitable for:

Consultant, Junior Manager, Team Leader, Supervisor, Senior Advisor, Data Analyst, Project Manager, Researcher.

Outcome:

The learner will gain an understanding of the following:

  • Business environments
  • Management consultancy business
  • Business finances
  • Project Management
  • Communication skills
  • Team Working Skills
  • Business Analysis
  • Relationship building
  • Personal Management
  • Report writing

On Programme Learning:

It is strongly recommended that on programme assessment of knowledge, skills and behaviour outcomes en-route to the final synoptic end-point assessment takes place. This will be with the allocated Tutor and may be conducted either remotely or face to face.

The programme consists of the following:

  • Junior Management Consultant Standard
  • Level 3 Diploma in First Line Management
  • Level 2 Functional Skills in maths
  • Level 2 Functional Skills in English
  • End Point Assessment

How is it delivered?

The learner will be allocated a qualified Tutor to support the full completion of the qualification and prepare for end point assessment. The tutor will meet with the learner on a regular basis in the workplace to conduct assessments which will be planned with the learner and their manager; assessment will also be conducted through a blended model of e–Learning and face to face delivery. The Tutor will manage the learner’s portfolio of evidence using an online electronic system called OneFile and provide regular updates about progress. The learner can contact their Tutor in between visits to discuss any aspect of the qualification and will have access to their individual learner’s portfolio.

End Point Assessment

An End Point Assessment will be carried out by staff from an independent End Point Assessment centre approved on the Register of End Point Assessment Organisations (EPAO).  

The End Point Assessment will test the entire apprenticeship standard and will be undertaken as follows:  

  • A reflective portfolio – guidance will be given by the Tutor
  • A  presentation and an interview

As apprentices are likely to be involved in client work, it will be important that any potentially sensitive information (such as a client name) is removed from evidence submitted during both the on-programme and EPA.

The End Point Assessment requires apprentices to demonstrate they have achieved the standard.

It is expected that the apprentice should reflect in detail on five work situations carried out in the last 3 months of their apprenticeship and demonstrate what they did, how they did it and why they acted as they did, together with what they have learnt and what they would do differently next time. The five work situations selected for the reflective portfolio should cover the following areas of the apprenticeship standard:

  • Knowledge
  • Skills
  • Behaviours

or a combination of the three

Assessment Gateway

Before the learner is ready to undertake the End Point Assessment by their employer and learning provider, they are required to:

  • Complete the Junior Management Consultant Standard
  • Complete Level 3 Diploma in First Line Management
  • Complete a reflective Journal (5 work situations)
  • Complete a Portfolio of evidence
  • Achieve level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English

The purpose of the End Point Assessment is to test (in a synoptic way) the Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours of the learner as set out in the apprenticeship standard

End Point Assessment provides learners with a showcase opportunity to provide oral and documentary evidence of their knowledge, skills and behaviours developed throughout the apprenticeship. This enables the independent assessor to assess the skills and behaviours of the learner by observing them in the course of their normal work. This will help to test the knowledge acquired by the learner throughout the apprenticeship.

How long will it take to complete?

The qualification usually takes around 24 months However, it is possible to complete earlier. This depends on learner’s existing achievement and individual circumstances. This can be discussed with the Tutor.

Progression routes:

Upon completion of the programme, the learner may specialise in a particular type of consultancy role or industry or remain more generalist. The skills that are developed often lead to employment in organisations within a certain industry, while some consultants who are established go on to run their own consultancy practices.

We at Pier Training would be very happy to discuss any aspect of this or any other Apprenticeship Qualification you may be interested in.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we look forward to hearing from you.