British Army leads the way in training UK managers

A new qualification developed by Edexcel to develop generic management skills in staff has been introduced in partnership with the British Army and private training provider PDM Training and Consultancy Ltd.

The BTEC Diploma in Training and Operational Management, (TOM for short) is for supervisors and middle managers developing skills in operations and training. Commonly managers at this level lead and train teams as well as managing operations and implementing change. TOM acknowledges the breadth of work undertaken by supervisors and middle managers in industry.

It is approved by the Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) and joins a suite of established and recognised Edexcel professional development qualifications, which are recognised by the Institute of Management.

Market research with businesses and employers’ groups prior to the development of TOM revealed that it fits the needs of a far wider group than just those in the British Army and would meet the needs of other public service or private organisations as well as those in the transport, security and voluntary sectors.

It was this transferability from the Army to the public sector that led Edexcel to seek QCA accreditation and TOM can now be offered to other organisations and training providers including FE colleges.

Colonel Tim Moore, Head of Army Lifelong Learning Policy for the British Army, said TOM is a valuable and practical award which we initiated in order to recognise a key group of skilled managers who had been unable to express their expertise in award terms up to that point.

With the highly respected brand of BTEC behind the TOM award, the British Army is confident that other industries - inside and outside the public service will recognise in some of their managers a similar requirement.

Eight core subjects are studied, including working relationships, health and safety and leading and training teams all in a training and operational environment. There is a choice of two optional units from a range of 12 including IT, investigation, stock distribution and receipt, driving and customer relationship management.

Delivery is flexible with much of the assessment based on the learner’s real working role. This strong focus on the workplace provides the learner with the opportunity to reflect on their own practice and consider how it might be improved and developed.

Progression opportunities upon successful completion of the award are diverse with good links into BTEC and other Foundation Degrees, Management NVQs or to other BTEC vocational qualifications.

Edexcel’s Sector Development Manager, Sallyann Baldry supports qualification development with the British Army. She added: The introduction of this qualification marks an important step forwards in the way we work in partnership with employers and training providers. The Army recognised this gap in the current provision of accredited learning and we worked with them and their chosen training provider to create the qualification.

This BTEC in Training and Operational Management would ideally suit other public service or private organisations as well as those in the transport, security and voluntary sectors. It recognises the broad range of skills that you need to be an effective manager in today’s world.

Peter Moody, Executive Chairman of PDM, said: TOM has been specifically designed for middle managers involved in training across a wide range of functional areas. It enables individuals to develop their skills and
achieve the qualification using real work situations. The Award is unique
in its approach and is extremely cost effective in the way in which it adds value both to the learner and to the employer.

Lt. Col. Stewart Walker whose soldiers were amongst the first to achieve the award concluded: From an Infantry perspective TOM is a flexible competence based Level 3 award for middle management. It enables the individual either to progress on the skills development route in management or learning and development or acts as a start point of further academic study beginning with an HE Certificate in Applied Management with a pathway to an Honours Degree.

On June 29th there is a free launch event for the new qualification (venue to be decided). Organisations wishing to attend should contact the sales support team on 0207 758 6881.