Highlights – 11 February

The UK’s annual National Apprenticeship Week is upon us once again, a time to celebrate stories of ambitious leaders – and future leaders – who have taken the apprenticeship pathway. In this week’s newsletter, we hear first-hand from nine current and former CMI apprentices about how the qualifications have changed their careers, as well as finding out who made the shortlist for CMI’s 2025 Apprentice of the Year award. 

But this year, those uplifting stories are shared with a steely sense of determination in the face of further potential cuts to management apprenticeships, following the withdrawal of funding for Level 7 apprenticeships for those aged 22 and over. 

As Politico’s London Influence newsletter reported, CMI is working hard to amplify the voice of business on the apprenticeship issue, not least with our employer and apprentice petition. Among the signatories are the Association of Employment and Learning Providers and a collective of West Midlands organisations including Aston University, Birmingham City University and Shropshire Fire and Rescue. If you haven’t signed it yet, you can do so here. 

The Times has published an article on the soaring popularity of degree apprentices. It also highlights how the likes of Co-op Group, Capita and Ocado have warned the government that any cuts to management apprenticeships may leave workplaces to be run by accidental managers.

It’s an important point, and one that was reiterated by Petra Wilton, CMI’s director of policy and public affairs, in a letter to The Times in response to recent comments from Sir Alan Milburn that apprenticeships for those aged 40 and over are “part of the problem” of youth unemployment. 

“A sole focus on young people may help them into work,” wrote Petra, “but it will not help them thrive if the over-40s managing them are untrained and unsupported.”

Solid foundations and self-belief

Of course, there is another powerful way to argue for the value of apprenticeships: showcasing those who’ve benefited from them. 

Also in this week’s newsletter, we meet Jude Roman, for whom a CMI apprenticeship provided the solid foundation and self-belief he needed to thrive. We also feature Sarah Hubbard CMgr FCMI, who experienced a chain reaction in her professional development following her CMI apprenticeship, securing the role of operations manager at a pioneering nuclear fusion company. 

“I’m the only person here who doesn’t have an engineering or science degree,” she told us. “I never realised Chartered status could apply to me.”

Time for a detox

Moving on to other leadership issues, BBC News has published an article on toxic bosses, citing CMI data that reveals one in three people leave jobs due to bad managers or toxic workplace culture. Quoted in the piece, Ann explained that toxic bosses “lack empathy and often self-awareness” and rule by fear or taking credit for others’ work. She suggests employees find an independent mentor and set strict boundaries to protect their wellbeing. 

Still on the evergreen subject of high-quality training, The Sunday Times published a letter from Petra on the NHS’s lack of trained managers. Petra highlighted how the number of managers at the NHS had grown at a far slower rate than the amount of NHS staff, leading to frontline staff having to spend time on tasks that should be carried out elsewhere. 

“Without skilled leaders, our health system will remain undermanaged and overwhelmed,” she wrote. 

Fresh sources of support

Now open for nominations, the 2026 Management Publication of the Year Awards – run by CMI alongside the British Academy of Management and the Chartered Association of Business Schools, in association with the British Library – celebrates the best in business and management research.

Someone who knows all about management excellence within higher education is Sumbal Manzoor CMgr FCMI, a recent Chartered Manager of the Week. Sumbal started her management journey as an accidental manager, before discovering she’s a natural teacher. To date, she has supported 46 managers to become Chartered. 

And for brain food of the audio variety, Ann appeared on The Business Podcast by The Times to discuss how Gen Z is redefining the world of work. The episode explores how to manage Gen Z employees and the impact of AI, the pandemic and economic instability on Gen Z’s careers. You can also watch the podcast here.

Speaking of AI, a new TechRound guide warns that access to tools alone does not equal readiness for the dramatic changes the technology is set to bring. The article cites data from CMI, which revealed that only 7% of UK managers believe their staff receive adequate training to use AI effectively. 

We’ll happily shout about the need for high-quality training there, too. 

Best,

Matt Roberts CMgr FCMI

Director of membership and professional development, CMI

Image: CMI