One of the UK’s leading managed service provider, Liberata, was looking to maximise their unused levy funds and equip their existing workforce with refreshed knowledge, skills, and behaviour. They wanted to build on existing practices, reinforce skills and instill confidence in their employees.
Liberata is one of the UK’s leading managed service providers of innovative solutions to the Government, the wider public sector, and commercial organisations. They help redefine your services, reinvent technology, and reshape outcomes. Beverley Thorpe, Learning & Development Manager, spoke to us about how our Level 3 Team Leader and Level 5 Operational & Departmental Manager apprenticeship programmes helped to instil role model and leadership behaviour and prepare the next generation of senior managers.
There were several reasons why we sought out training. These included the need to manage people remotely and manage a workforce that consists of 20% individuals who are over 60 years old, as well as the absence of a formal learning path for managers. Our goal was to strengthen and enhance the team's current skills, understand how to adjust leadership styles to fit each individual, boost confidence, and ultimately invest in our employees in order to develop the next generation of senior managers.
We wanted to provide our employees with the opportunity to attain professional, accredited qualifications. With a highly sought-after Learning and Development budget, we aimed to maximize our levy funding. What particularly attracted us was that BMS Progress didn't just offer a standard apprenticeship programme; they had the added value of the The Institute of Leadership certification and a curriculum designed on the foundations of Franklin Covey's leadership principles.
BMS Progress was dedicated to finding a solution that worked for us. We spent significant time collaborating with Vicky Bohan, the Curriculum Manager at BMS Progress. Vicky made a concerted effort to understand Liberata's approach and organisational structure. As a result, they meticulously tailored the curriculum for both apprenticeship programmes, with adjustments such as swapping models where necessary and incorporating techniques that we use internally.
The solution was much more than the delivery of training. BMS Progress provided us with invaluable support from start to finish. As a lean organisation, we don’t have the benefit of high margins, and time is tight – BMS Progress helped us to optimise this. From support during the selection process, they identified suitable candidates and areas where we could maximise funding to support onboarding our people onto the programme. Clearly, BMS was committed to helping us achieve our goals, not just selling us a solution.
The self-assurance instilled in our people by the Level 3 and Level 5 apprenticeship programmes is already highly evident. We witness employees applying models and techniques from the curriculum, contributing to a notable development in management styles and confidence. Our people are actively recognising opportunities, implementing new strategies in their daily tasks, and transforming their roles and responsibilities. And what’s more, everyone is on track for passing!
What stood out for us the most was the unparalleled support we received right from the get-go. They sparked our interest right from the start with their ability to be accommodating and flexible to our needs. There are so many anecdotes that help showcase just how attentive BMS Progress are, but the one that stands out is Dave Smith, Sales Operations Officer. He was one of the first touchpoints I had, and I asked if he would mind doing an old-school phone call so I could get my steps in, and to my surprise, it didn’t phase him; an easy yes!
We look forward to continuing our partnership and enrolling future cohorts on BMS Progress apprenticeship programmes.
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