Level 3 CMI Diploma

UNIT 330 – ORGANISATIONAL AWARENESS FOR FIRST LINE MANAGERS

All organisations have a unique structure, character and culture. Without developing an awareness into how an organisation operates, it is challenging to lead and manage people effectively. Awareness begins with an understanding of the way different organisations are structured, as well as how they are influenced by culture, values and ethics.

On successful completion of the unit, First Line Managers will understand the role of an organisation’s strategic business plan, and how they can contribute to the organisation’s success.

UNIT 331 – APPROACHES TO MANAGING AND LEADING PEOPLE AND TEAMS

An effective First Line Manager is equipped with the knowledge skills and behaviours to engage, motivate and inspire people and teams. This is underpinned by an understanding of how to manage and lead people, in a way that not only provides clear direction, but recognises and responds to individual needs and aspirations through the promotion of equity, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing.

On successful completion of the unit, First Line Managers will have developed an understanding of management and leadership theory and styles, and the practical methods that can be employed to lead people and teams with impact.

UNIT 332 – STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION FOR FIRST LINE MANAGERS

Effective communication is a theme that runs through all management and leadership practice. It supports the development of stakeholder relationships, which are essential for organisational success. Changes in technology and society mean communication approaches are ever evolving. First Line Managers need to be agile, able to flex their communication style to engage and inspire others.

On successful completion of the unit, First Line Managers will have explored the role of effective communication in their working practice, and how this can be used to build and sustain successful collaborative relationships.

UNIT 333 – DELIVERING OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

The ability to deliver operational activities requires the First Line Manager to demonstrate wide ranging skills and expertise. This includes the ability to communicate operational plans to people and teams, allocate and manage resources, mitigate risks and quality assure outcomes. It is the role of the First Line Manager to support people and teams to achieve operational outcomes within the rules, complying with legal, regulatory and organisational requirements.

On successful completion of the unit, First Line Managers will understand the role of operational activities within an organisation and how these can be planned, managed and delivered with success.

UNIT 337 – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS A FIRST LINE MANAGER

Professional development is a fundamental activity that supports First Line Managers to develop in their role. In an organisational setting it may support career progression, the development of knowledge, capabilities, personal growth and motivation. Importantly, it has the potential to impact an individual’s self-esteem, fulfilment, mental wellbeing and resilience. Professional development contributes to an organisation’s ability to succeed as well as bringing benefits to the people and teams led by the First Line Manager.

On successful completion of the unit, First Line Managers will understand the benefits of ‘developing self’ and be able to create a Professional Development Plan to support the achievement of their goals.

UNIT 340 – SUPPORTING PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE EMPLOYEE LIFE CYCLE

First Line Managers have a key role in supporting people to develop and thrive throughout their employment. Support typically starts at the beginning of the employee life cycle, at pre-recruitment and concludes at the end of a person’s contract with the organisation. First Line Managers are uniquely placed to understand the needs of employees, enabling them to understand their role and responsibilities and providing opportunities to work towards personal and professional goals.

On successful completion of the unit, First Line Managers will have developed an understanding of the employee life cycle and know how to effectively contribute to the development of people.

If an individual is not already in membership at the time of registering on a CMI qualification then they will be provided with free Affiliate membership of the CMI through until the completion of their studies. For details of the benefits of membership please see Resources and Benefits | Membership – CMI

There may be the opportunity to upgrade during the Learner’s studies dependant on successfully completing an assessment with CMI.

Our Teaching Approach

Develop Real Managers Through Real Experience.

Our CMI Level 3 First Line Management and Leadership programme is designed to reflect the real demands of modern management roles. As a practising or aspiring manager, you won’t just learn theory—you’ll develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to lead people, manage operations and deliver results in your workplace.

Learn Through Real Work. Grow as a Manager.

A Practical, Work-Integrated Approach.

This programme is built around a work-integrated learning model, meaning everything you study links directly to your role as a first line manager. Whether you are managing people, delivering operational activities, or supporting change, your learning is always grounded in real organisational contexts.

You will:

• Apply leadership and management theory to real workplace situations
• Build skills in areas such as team leadership, communication, problem-solving and operations management
• Develop confidence in managing people, projects and day-to-day activities
• Translate learning into immediate impact within your organisation

By connecting learning with practice, you’ll gain the capability to lead effectively, make informed decisions, and contribute to organisational success.

Take Control of Your Learning

Inquiry-Led and Relevant to You.

Great managers are curious, reflective and proactive. That’s why this programme uses an inquiry-led approach, putting you in control of your development.

You’ll be encouraged to:

• Explore key leadership and management topics in depth
• Relate learning to your own team, workplace and challenges
• Develop solutions to real organisational issues
• Build a deeper understanding of how management practices work in context

This approach ensures your learning is not only relevant—but immediately useful in your role as a team leader or supervisor.

Learn by Doing: Build Skills That Matter

Experience at the Core of Every Unit.

From managing people and teams to delivering operational activities, this programme is built around experiential learning—learning through doing.

You’ll develop practical capability through:

• Work-based learning embedded in your current role
• Realistic scenarios reflecting leadership, communication and operational challenges
• Activities linked to core units such as team leadership, stakeholder communication and problem-solving
• Structured reflection to improve your performance as a manager

This ensures you’re not just understanding concepts—you’re actively practising the behaviours and skills required of effective first line managers.

Interactive, Engaging, and Career-Focused Delivery

Our sessions are designed to keep you actively involved and developing throughout your journey. Each session blends:

• Short, focused teaching to introduce key management concepts
• Practical workshops based on real workplace scenarios
• Peer discussions to broaden perspectives and share experiences
• Collaborative and individual activities to build leadership capability
• One-to-one tutorials for personalised support

You’ll also reinforce your learning through workplace application and reflection—helping you retain knowledge and continuously improve as a manager.

Flexible Delivery That Fits Around You

• Full-time learners: Weekly sessions alternating between UCNL and UCDon
• Part-time learners: Bi-weekly sessions at UCNL

This flexible approach ensures you can balance your studies with your professional responsibilities while continuing to develop in your role.

Assessment: Designed for Real Management Practice

Assessment on this programme is aligned to CMI professional standards, ensuring your work reflects the expectations of real managers.

No Exams—Just Practical Application

Instead of traditional exams, you’ll complete applied assessments such as:

• Professional reports analysing workplace challenges
• Project plans and operational proposals
• Reflective accounts demonstrating your development
• Work-based evidence linked to leadership and management practice

These assessments are designed to reflect tasks you would carry out as a team leader, supervisor or first line manager.

Assessment That Supports Your Development

Assessment is fully integrated into your learning experience, helping you improve as you progress. You’ll benefit from:

• Regular feedback from tutors, peers and employers
• Opportunities to refine and improve your work
• Ongoing reflection on your performance and growth

This ensures assessment becomes a tool for continuous improvement—not just measurement.

Deliver Real Value to Your Organisation

Because your assessments are linked to your workplace, every task you complete has real impact. You will:

• Develop practical solutions to organisational challenges
• Contribute to team and business performance
• Build a portfolio of professional evidence
• Strengthen your ability to lead people and deliver results

Professionally Recognised. Professionally Relevant.

By completing this programme, you’ll gain more than a qualification—you’ll demonstrate the skills, behaviours and professional standards expected of effective first line managers.

You’ll be equipped to progress into roles such as:

• Team Leader
• Supervisor
• Project Officer
• Shift Manager

Start Building Your Management Career Today

This is more than a course—it’s a development journey designed to help you lead with confidence, manage with impact, and grow as a professional.

This qualification can be offered to Learners from age 16.

Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs or equivalent.

The qualification is offered in the medium of the English Language.

Upon successful completion of their qualification, learners are able to progress to further learning within the suite of CMI Qualifications such as the CMI Level 5 Qualifications in Management and Leadership with the goal of becoming a Chartered Manager.

All successful learners will be eligible for Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) on completion of the Level 3 Qualification in First Line Management and Leadership (subject to retention of CMI Membership).

Learners who are aspiring to a management role may progress to the job roles such as:

• Team Leader
• Supervisor
• Project Officer
• Shift Manager
• Foreperson