Team Leader Apprenticeship

Why choose a Team Leading Apprenticeship with Next Level?

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Level 3 Team Leader ILM Apprenticeship

Our Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship is ideal for first-line managers, those stepping into leadership roles, or those already managing small teams or projects. It’s a fantastic opportunity to upskill existing staff, boost confidence, and promote internal progression.

Team Leaders and project managers provide direction, guidance and support to help businesses meet their goals. They operate across the private, public, and third sectors in organisations of all sizes. While day-to-day duties vary, the core knowledge, skills and behaviours developed through this programme are universal.

Duration: Typically completed over 12-16 months.

Entry Requirements: There are no minimum grade requirements. However, if an apprentice has not already achieved a GCSE grade 4/C (or equivalent) in English and maths and is aged 16-19, they will need to complete Level 2 Functional Skills in both subjects before taking their end-point assessment.

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Apprenticeship KSB's

All apprenticeships are built around three key areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours. These form the foundation of the apprenticeship and must be fully developed and demonstrated by the learner before they can progress to their End Point Assessment (EPA).

Knowledge

  • People & Performance: Performance management, identifying learning needs, supporting team development, and fostering positive organisational culture.

  • Operations & Project Management: Tools, techniques and policies for managing projects, resources, workloads, and time effectively.

  • Strategy & Compliance: How their role aligns with organisational strategy, goals, and compliance requirements including legislation and regulation.

  • Communication & Relationships: Effective communication, negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management.

  • Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Approaches to analysing issues, making decisions, and driving continuous improvement and change.

  • Leadership & Accountability: Leadership styles, managing cross-team working, and understanding their own responsibility and accountability within the business.

  • External Awareness: The wider social, economic and environmental factors impacting business operations – including sustainability and net zero.

  • Finance & Data: Basic budget management, using data for decision-making, and presenting information clearly to different audiences.

  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Embedding inclusive practices in their team and understanding the impact on team culture and performance.

Skills

  • Plan & Deliver Work: Manage workloads, allocate tasks, and use tools to track progress and meet operational goals.

  • Analyse & Report: Interpret data, create reports, and use insights to improve decision-making and drive performance.

  • Lead & Develop Teams: Support team development through coaching, set objectives, monitor performance, and give constructive feedback.

  • Solve Problems & Manage Projects: Apply structured problem-solving and project management techniques, taking corrective action when needed.

  • Use Digital Tools: Work confidently with digital platforms to manage projects, communicate, and produce professional documentation.

  • Communicate & Influence: Adapt communication styles for different audiences, lead meetings, give presentations, and influence stakeholders.

  • Drive Change & Improvement: Lead teams through change, support continuous improvement, and spot future trends and tech developments.

  • Understand the Bigger Picture: Align work with organisational strategy, apply regulation and policy, and promote inclusion and sustainability in the workplace.

  • Collaborate Effectively: Build strong relationships across diverse teams and negotiate solutions to reduce conflict and deliver outcomes.

Behaviours

  • Act with Integrity: Show professionalism, ethics and honesty in everything they do.

  • Champion Inclusion: Treat others with fairness and respect, valuing diversity in the workplace.

  • Take Ownership: Be accountable for their work, meeting deadlines and taking responsibility.

  • Keep Growing: Proactively seek learning and development opportunities.

  • Stay Adaptable: Respond positively to change and work flexibly when needed.

Workshops and Delivery

Our Team Leader apprenticeship workshops run on a hybrid model – with half delivered online and half delivered through in person master classes, typically once a month.

Workshops are mandatory, and an important part of building the knowledge and skills needed to pass your End Point Assessment.

Awareness and management of self
Managing people, leading people and building relationships
Operational management
Communication
Decision making and problem-solving
Project management and finance
Managing people, leading people and building relationships
Operational Management, Problem Solving & Decision Making
Project Management and finance
EPA Prep

Team Leader Apprenticeship Assessment Plan

Your apprenticeship includes three key checkpoints to assess your progress and prepare you for your End Point Assessment.

Timing may vary slightly based on your individual progress:

  • Checkpoint 1 – Around Month 6
    A knowledge test to check your understanding so far.

  • Checkpoint 2 – Between Months 8–10
    A review of your portfolio and preparation for your project.

  • Checkpoint 3 – Between Months 12–14
    A mock End Point Assessment to get you ready for the real thing.

These checkpoints help ensure you’re developing the right skills, knowledge and behaviours at the right pace.

Gateway & End Point Assessment

Apprentices can only progress to Gateway once they have successfully passed Checkpoint 3 and are fully prepared.

Gateway marks the start of the End Point Assessment period, which typically lasts up to 3 months for the Team Leader apprenticeship. It begins with a formal discussion involving the apprentice, their tutor, employer and Site Assessor. During this meeting, all entry requirements are reviewed and confirmed – including Functional Skills (if needed) and portfolio completion.

Once through Gateway, the apprentice begins their End Point Assessment, which includes:

  • Project Presentation and questions
  • Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
Skills England Apprenticeship Information

Is the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship Right for You?

Whether you’re an employer looking to upskill your existing team or a budding team leader looking to further your management career, we’re here to help. 

  • Employers: Enquire now to chat with our team about the enrolment process.

  • Future Apprentices: Apply now and we’ll guide you through your next steps.

Let’s get started — your journey begins here.

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