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Level 5 Certificate — 6–12 Months — Foundation Degree Equivalent

Develop Middle Managers Who Lead,
Not Just Manage.

A focused 6–12 month programme building strategic leadership, change management, and team development capability in your middle management tier — accredited by the Institute of Leadership & Management.

ILM Level 5 — City & Guilds Group | 3 Core Units | Foundation Degree Equiv | Levy Funded | Strategic Focus
L5
ILM
Accredited
6–12
Month
Delivery
3
Core
Units
Strategic
Change &
Development
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Ofsted
Good Provider

For Managers Ready to Think
Strategically

Discover if this programme is right for your middle management layer

📊

Department Managers

Those stepping into formal leadership for the first time, seeking structured development in strategy and influence.

⚙️

Operations Managers

Responsible for day-to-day delivery but ready to develop the strategic thinking and change capability for bigger impact.

🗺️

Area/Regional Managers

Managing multi-site or distributed teams, needing stronger leadership presence and delegation at scale.

⭐

Senior Team Leaders

High-performing Level 3 completers progressing into middle management roles requiring formal qualification.

Ideal For

Progression Pathway

The bridge between frontline leadership and senior strategic roles. ILM Level 5 is positioned specifically for middle managers ready to develop influence, strategic thinking, and organisational impact.

Three Units, Maximum Impact

Building the strategic leadership capability your middle managers need

3

Three integrated units covering leadership strategy, change management, and team development — the core competencies that distinguish middle managers from supervisors.

Unit 1
1
Being an Effective Leader
Leadership Theory & Practice
Leadership theories, emotional intelligence, developing personal style, building influence and credibility across the organisation.
Unit 2
2
Managing and Implementing Change
Change Management Models
Change initiatives, stakeholder engagement, managing resistance, measuring impact — the core of driving organisational transformation.
Unit 3
3
Developing and Leading Teams
Team Dynamics & High Performance
Tuckman model, building culture, coaching team members, delegation at scale — developing the people who deliver results.

Why Level 5 Stands Out

Level 5 doesn't just manage the present—it builds strategic capability for the future. Your middle managers become change leaders and talent developers, not just supervisors. Designed specifically for the middle management tier with escalation pathways to senior leadership.

3
ILM L5
2
Typical

Rigorous, Workplace-Applied
Assessment

Learning that transfers directly to your managers' day-to-day impact

Assessment

2,000-Word Written Assignments

Per unit, grounded in your operational context and real business challenges. This ensures deep engagement with theory and practice.

Work-Based Real Context
Coaching

1:1 Coaching Support

Throughout the 6–12 month delivery, guiding reflection and ensuring assignment quality reflects their learning journey and development.

Personalised Ongoing
Outcome

ILM Level 5 Certificate

Upon completion, your managers receive an accredited Level 5 Certificate, positioning them for progression to ILM Level 7 or CMI qualifications.

Progression Accredited

Accreditation & Progression
Pathways

Building credible, progressive capability across your management tier

Accreditation

ILM Level 5
Institute of Leadership & Management
Fully accredited by ILM, part of City & Guilds Group. Graduates are eligible for ILM membership, cementing professional standing and access to development opportunities.
Foundation Degree Equivalent
Higher Education Parity
This Level 5 qualification sits at foundation degree level, providing equivalent standing to HE qualifications and recognised by employers globally.
Progression Ready
ILM Level 7 Pathway
Graduates are positioned to progress towards ILM Level 7 (Advanced Certificate) or CMI qualifications for senior leadership development.

Funding & Investment

For Levy-Paying Employers

Fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy. This qualification maps to the Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship Standard, making it an efficient pathway with government co-investment.

For Non-Levy Employers

5% co-investment required. 95% government-funded support, providing exceptional value for building strategic middle management capability.

Strategic Development Investment

Level 5 is the investment point for developing your middle management tier into strategic leaders—building the pipeline for senior leadership succession planning.

"Level 5 elevated our middle managers from operational to strategic thinking. We saw measurable improvements in change management, team engagement, and preparation for senior roles."
— Operations Director, Financial Services

Strategic Capability Building

Not just managing the present. Level 5 develops leaders who drive change, develop talent, and think strategically about organisational impact.

Clear Progression Path

Level 5 is the bridge. Your managers move from L3 frontline leadership into strategic middle management, with clear pathways to L7 and beyond.

Change Leadership

Building the change management capability your organisation needs. Managers who lead through complexity, not just react to it.

Ready to Strengthen Your Middle Management?

Invest in the leaders who drive your organisation forward. Get in touch to discuss how Level 5 can be tailored to your middle management cohort.

Get in Touch
TESS GROUP
Leadership Development & Professional Training
ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership & Management
Accredited by City & Guilds Group