CMI Level 3 — First Line Management & Leadership
At a glance:
Develop confident supervisors and first line managers through a structured online CMI Level 3 pathway that strengthens team leadership, communication and operational delivery, with a clear route from entry level development through to recognised professional progression.
Awarding Body: Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
Delivery: 100% online, live tutor led
Pathways: Award, Certificate or Diploma
Cohorts: Available for individuals or full team cohorts
Ideal for: Newly promoted supervisors, team leaders, section managers and those identified through succession planning
Professional Advice
Tailored Programmes
Highly Qualified Tutors
Expert Coaching
Why invest in your first line managers?
First line managers have the greatest influence on team performance, engagement and retention, yet they are often the least developed layer in an organisation. People are promoted for technical competence and then expected to manage without formal training.
The CMI Level 3 closes that gap. It gives supervisors practical management capability, backed by a qualification from the UK’s chartered body for management and leadership.
Benefits for your organisation:
- Professional recognition. A credential your managers value and your stakeholders recognise.
- Reduced turnover. Teams stay where they are well managed.
- Improved performance. Managers who can set objectives, give feedback and manage workload.
- Stronger succession pipeline. Visible development pathways help retain your best people.
- Consistency across teams. A shared management framework rather than individual interpretation.
What your managers will learn
The programme translates directly into workplace practice. Your managers will develop:
- Team leadership, motivation and performance management
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Day to day operational management and planning
- Decision making and problem solving
- Managing workloads, priorities and objectives
- Building and supporting effective teams
- Understanding organisational structures and culture
- Equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Every assignment is workplace based. Managers apply their learning to live challenges in your organisation, so you see the return during the programme rather than after it.
Entry requirements
The CMI Level 3 has open entry criteria, making it accessible across your workforce regardless of prior academic qualifications. We recommend:
- Learners are currently working in, or preparing to move into, a supervisory or first line management role
- A level of English literacy sufficient to complete written assignments
- Access to a device and stable internet connection
There are no GCSE or Functional Skills requirements for this qualification.
Working with healthcare, business and the public sector
Public sector organisations operate under different pressures: service continuity, procurement requirements and the need to demonstrate value for public money.
CoreEd already delivers regulated healthcare training across the pharmacy sector, including Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 and Pharmacy Technician Level 3 within NHS commissioned services, community pharmacy and primary care settings. We also deliver the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship to a wide range of employers across multiple sectors, giving us a broad understanding of how organisations of different sizes and structures develop their people.
This means we understand how to deliver training around clinical rotas, service demands, regulatory obligations and the realities of a busy working environment.
Our online delivery model means teams develop without leaving the service. Cohort pricing offers efficiency at scale. CMI accreditation provides independent, nationally recognised assurance that your development spend produces measurable outcomes.
We can provide the documentation your procurement process requires.
Built for organisations
Cohort delivery
Run a full cohort of your managers together. Shared learning, consistent standards and a common management language across teams, with a delivery schedule agreed around your operational demands.
Flexible pathways
Choose the Award for focused development, the Certificate for broader capability, or the Diploma for comprehensive management grounding. We will advise on the right level based on your teams’ roles and your objectives.
No disruption to service
Delivered entirely online through live tutor led sessions. No travel costs, no venue hire and no days lost to off site training. Sessions can be scheduled around shift patterns and service commitments.
Progression built in
A clear pathway from Level 3 through to Foundation Chartered Manager (FCMgr) status, giving your organisation a structured development route that supports retention and succession planning.
Qualification & progression
On completion, learners are awarded a nationally recognised CMI Level 3 qualification in First Line Management and Leadership, accredited by the Chartered Management Institute.
Learners completing the Certificate or Diploma are eligible to apply for Foundation Chartered Manager (FCMgr) status and Affiliate membership of the CMI.
Delivery and support
Live taught sessions
Regular live webinars delivered via Microsoft Teams by an experienced CMI tutor, covering programme content and providing space to work through real management challenges.
Dedicated tutor
Every learner is assigned a dedicated skills tutor who provides guidance, assignment feedback and coaching throughout the programme.
Digital learning resources
Access to structured learning materials and reading to support study between sessions.
Progress reporting
Employer facing progress updates so you can track your cohort and evidence the impact of your investment.
Choose the qualification that’s right for you
Whether you’re looking for a focused introduction or a broader management qualification, choose from three study options designed to match your role, goals and development needs.
CMI Level 3 Award –
(One Unit)
A focused introduction to first line management, ideal for new or aspiring managers who want to strengthen their approach to leading people and teams.
- Approaches to Managing and Leading People and Teams
CMI Level 3 Certificate –
(Two Units)
Develop your core management skills across two key areas, combining effective team leadership with a clear plan for your own professional development.
- Approaches to Managing and Leading People and Teams
- Professional Development as a First Line Manager
CMI Level 3 Diploma –
(Six Units)
A comprehensive management qualification covering the practical skills needed to lead teams, communicate with stakeholders, manage operational activity and make confident decisions.
- Approaches to Managing and Leading People and Teams
- Professional Development as a First Line Manager
- Stakeholder Communication for First Line Managers
- Delivering Operational Activities
- Managing Problems and Decision Making
- Professional Development as a First Line Manager
