Coaching & mentoring skills to be rolled out across the UK

22 October 2009 - Senior executives across the UK are set to benefit from a suite of qualifications developed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), recognised by Ofqual.  Launched today, the new range of qualifications have been created in response to research and consultation showing that the majority of employees want to develop their skills with a support network of coaches and mentors. 

The qualifications range from the Level 3 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring (equivalent to A-Levels) through to the Level 7 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring (comparable to Masters degree level).  Designed to meet the needs of first-time managers, and the more experienced business leader, the programme of qualifications will cover a wide variety of topics.  These range from understanding organisational culture and mentoring for teams and individuals, through to performance management and the strategic development of staff.

The new qualifications complement CMI’s existing Level 5 qualifications in Coaching and Mentoring (equal to a first degree level).  Individuals undertaking the programme do not have to possess previous qualifications, although it is expected that individuals will be working at the level of the qualification they are studying. 

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the CMI, says: “In today’s fast moving and cost-conscious business environment, there is a strong case to be made for coaching and mentoring to be made available to all employees.  Everyone needs someone they can turn to for advice, however critical, and if the knowledge economy is going to become a reality, we need staff to have the capability to share what they know.”

According to research conducted by the CMI*, 68 per cent of managers say that coaching is an effective method of learning.  Almost 1 in 4 (23 per cent) prefer to learn from colleagues; whilst 15 per cent argue that they are more comfortable seeking the advice of managers in other organisations. 

CMI’s research also shows that online coaching is becoming more frequent as organisations recognise the time and cost savings of blending traditional learning methods with emerging technologies.  E-coaching for example, was used by 14 per cent of directors in 2008, compared to 10 per cent, twelve months previously.  In the same period, use of discussion forums by middle managers jumped 8 points, to 36 per cent.

Ruth Spellman continues: “There has been a significant surge in the use of new media as a coaching tool, primarily because employers are beginning to recognise that capturing knowledge is just as important as sharing it.  Through technology, not only can individuals receive coaching and mentoring support.  Now they can refer to the support they receive online at a time and place that suits them best.”

CMI’s new qualifications are offered by Approved Centres across the UK and can be delivered as individual courses, or linked to in-house company training programmes.  Further information can be found at www.managers.org.uk/qualifications.

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Further information:

Mike Petrook / Jo Bowles, Institute Press Office

Tel: 020 7497 0496; outside office hours: 07931 302 877

Email: press.office@managers.org.uk

Website: www.managers.org.uk

Chartered Management Institute

Press Office

3rd Floor, 2 Savoy Court

London WC2R 0EZ

NOTES TO EDITORS
• The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards of management and leadership excellence.  CMI is the guardian of the National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership and sets the standards that others follow  

• As a membership organisation, CMI has been providing forward-thinking advice and support to individuals and businesses, for more than 50 years, and continues to give managers and leaders, and the organisations they work in, the tools they need to improve their performance and make an impact  

• As the only organisation to offer qualifications from Level 2 (GCSE) to Level 9 (PhD), CMI is committed to equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to be exceptional managers and leaders.  Qualifications and accreditations such as Chartered Manager, combined with products such as CMI’s Continuous Professional Development scheme and the online support resource, ManagementDirect, support the development of management and leadership excellence across the UK  

• Through in-depth research and policy surveys of its 81,000 individual and 450 corporate members, CMI maintains its position as the premier authority on key management and leadership issues