Please take the time to read this page to learn more about leadership apprenticeships and what options are available. We encourage you to build in conversations with your line manager as part of the PDR process to decide if this is the right next step for you.
For 2026, our leadership apprenticeships will have 2 cohorts. More details about the application process can be found on this page.
Benefits of completing a leadership apprenticeship
Being empowered, innovative, collaborating, driving change and doing things differently are all essential to our success in achieving our collective vision for Derbyshire.
While supporting personal aspirations and continuous professional development, the benefits that leadership apprenticeships offers are huge. This is an opportunity for successful individuals to:
- achieve a leadership and management apprenticeship (including a qualification at degree or postgraduate level) at no personal financial cost as the funding is covered by the apprenticeship levy
- develop core leadership competencies, enhancing leadership confidence and performance
- support academic progress with the support of a mentoring relationship throughout the duration of the programme
- be at the forefront of significant cultural change within our organisation by driving projects that are aligned to work based challenges
- dedicate 6 hours per week of your working time to leadership development (with the support of your line manager)
- register with a professional body, for example Chartered Management Institute
Leadership apprenticeships that are available
We offer the following 3 leadership apprenticeships.
Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (level 6 - delivered by the University of Derby)
Aimed at professional managers who take lead responsibility for people, projects, operations and or services to deliver long term organisational success, with the professional recognition of their ability to deliver impact, behave ethically and demonstrate their commitment to continual learning and development. This apprenticeship is applicable to professional managers from all sectors and all sizes of organisation.
Working with the University of Derby, you'll achieve a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship which incorporates a BA (Hons) Business Management and Leadership as an additional qualification. Typically taking 4 years to complete, the exact duration will be dependent on previous experience and whether you've been accepted on the level 6 top up route, typically taking 2 years. Read more about the chartered management degree.
Operations Manager Apprenticeship (level 5 - delivered by Buxton and Leek College on behalf of the University of Derby)
Aimed at operations or departmental managers who manage teams or projects, and have responsibility for planning, delivering and achieving operational or departmental goals and objectives. They are accountable to a more senior manager, for example head of department and are responsible for the operational and or policy delivery of the organisation's strategy. Specific responsibilities and job titles will vary, but the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed will be the same. Key responsibilities may include creating and delivering operational plans, managing projects, leading and managing teams, managing change, financial and resource management, talent management, coaching and mentoring.
You'll achieve the operations manager apprenticeship which includes a Level 5 Diploma in Management as an integral qualification. Typically taking 2½ years to complete, the exact duration will be dependent on previous experience. Read more about the operations manager apprenticeship.
Team Leader Apprenticeship (level 3 - delivered by Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service)
This apprenticeship is aimed at team leaders, supervisors or anyone who is in or aspiring to a first line management role. It is applicable to those with operational and project responsibilities or responsibility for managing a team to deliver a clearly defined outcome. They provide direction, instructions and guidance to ensure the achievement of set goals. Specific responsibilities will vary, but the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed will be the same whatever the role. Key responsibilities are likely to include supporting, managing and developing team members, managing projects, planning and monitoring workloads and resources, delivering operational plans, resolving problems, and building relationships internally and externally.
This apprenticeship typically takes 12 to 18 months to achieve. On completion, apprentices may choose to register as Associate Members with the Chartered Management Institute and/or the Institute of leadership and management, to support their professional career development and progression. Read more about the team leader apprenticeship.
The application process
Our first leadership apprenticeship application window for 2026 opens on Monday 1 December 2025 and closes on Monday 12 January 2026 ahead of programme start dates in March 2026.
All applications needed to be submitted and to have received line manager and head of service or assistant director (AD) approval, through the online application process, no later than end of the closing date.
This application window follows on from the 2025 mid-year PDR period. The PDR process - or one-to-one / supervision process if you don't undertake PDR - provided an ideal opportunity to discuss your development aspirations with your manager, and identified whether a leadership apprenticeship was suitable and could be supported at this time.
Please note that the application and approvals processes are rigorous so you will need to take some time researching the leadership apprenticeships when completing your application.
You must make sure that you have the drive, commitment and time to fully complete the leadership apprenticeship you are applying for.
Each applicant’s enrolment must also comply with the government's detailed apprenticeship levy funding criteria – full completion of the online application form will ensure compliance with these criteria.
Please make sure you've read the apprenticeship application guidance for employees.
Those applying for a level 5 and 6 are required to identify a mentor and to have sought their agreement prior to applying. Read more about the leadership apprentice, line manager and mentor relationship.
When submitting the application form it will generate an email to your line manager asking them to provide approval for your application before being sent to the head of service or AD for their approval.
Applicants in a seconded role
For those applicants in a seconded position where this role is likely to finish ahead of the length of the apprenticeship, the recommendation is that you discuss your apprenticeship application with both your seconded and substantive managers as when you return there may no longer be the scope in your role to meet the knowledge, skills and behaviours to complete your apprenticeship.
In order to fulfil the application process, applicants in this situation are required to gain the support of both the seconded line manager (on the application form) and the substantive line manager by a follow-up email. The substantive line manager should email dcc.apprenticeships@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Closing date
The application window is open until Monday 12 January 2026.
You are recommended not to leave submission until the last minute as you will need time for your line manager to review and approve the application prior to the closing date.
No applications submitted after this date, or those which do not have line manager approval in place by the closing date, will be accepted or processed. This is due to the extremely tight timescales needed to complete the final internal approvals and provider eligibility / suitability checks that are required prior to enrolment.
Approval
Once your application has been approved by your line manager and head of service or AD, the final approval will form part of the university's application process. This will include an academic review and interview with the University of Derby.
Successful Team Leader (level 3) applications will be referred to DACES so that a similar academic review and interview process can be undertaken.
Costs
The costs for apprenticeship learning delivery will be met from the apprenticeship levy, in other words, not from service or departmental budgets or at any personal cost to the learner. In line with our travel policies there may be excess travel costs associated with attending face to face delivery events. The learner's department will have responsibility for reimbursing any excess travel costs.
Information relating to the attainment of functional skills
Functional skills, such as English and maths, have been a requirement of apprenticeships to ensure that all apprentices have a basic level of literacy and numeracy, to help individuals perform everyday tasks and improve their employability. In February 2025, the government announced changes allowing employers more flexibility over maths and English requirements.
Our approach to functional skills is that from February 2025, only apprentices who begin their apprenticeship training when aged 16-18 years old will be subject to the mandatory requirement of attaining level 2 English and maths functional skills. Find out more about changes to English and maths requirements on the GOV.UK website.
If you are aged 19 and over, our position as an employer is that you are not required to attain level 2 English and maths. If there is a critical need for this in the role that you do, or you feel longer term this will benefit you personally, then you should discuss this with your line manager and with the training provider as part of the onboarding / skill scan meeting.
Endorsements
The following are quotes from senior leader apprentices:
"I started the leadership and management apprenticeship early October and was quite apprehensive at first, mainly due to much of the course having to be delivered virtually. We have now completed the first module assessment and I have already gained skills that I am able to apply to my current role. University of Derby have been fantastic from the very beginning in providing course material and keeping everyone informed of course requirements. As a cohort we have WhatsApp and Teams groups setup to collaborate, share ideas and experiences. The whole experience so far has been great and I would recommend anyone considering the course to go for it."
"I have been fortunate to get a place on the leadership apprenticeship course being run by Derby University and arranged through DCC. I was looking forward to undertaking this course although with some trepidation as it is 14 years since I have undertaken formal academic work. The tutors and the university have been really supportive making the work very accessible and guiding us through the first assignment which I have just completed. Like everything the course has been affected by Covid so we are undertaking the course remotely which has some advantages such as being able to watch the lectures again. Those of us doing the course also have a WhatsApp group set up which has been great in supporting each other. It's been a challenge and lots of work but definitely worth it. I have enjoyed the return to formal learning and reflecting on my role and work in the department as part of this."
"Despite the current restrictions on our daily lives the university's online learning system has enabled studies to continue and the approach of each lecturer is varied, making content interesting. My work-based mentor has also been extremely supportive as well as insightful, setting our service into context in relation to the council and the bigger picture and helpful in defining value and essential content for my first assignment."
"It's a great privilege to have the opportunity to take part in the apprenticeship, it's extremely challenging, thought provoking, and great opportunity to meet like-minded colleagues."
"I have welcomed the challenge of learning a new area with like-minded colleagues whilst being able to witness its implications within the workplace. It is a great opportunity and I would highly recommend this apprenticeship."
Leadership apprenticeship fact-finding webinars
To support our next leadership apprenticeship application window, we're hosting 2 fact-finding webinars to give you an opportunity to learn more about the Team Leader level 3 and Operations Manager level 5 apprenticeships.
The webinars will have tutors from our training providers running through the details of the apprenticeship, how it is delivered and giving you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
You can register for these sessions by visiting Derbyshire Learning Online (DLO).
Application form for employees