STUDY

The rationale behind this module is to provide apprentices with the principles of supply chain and operational management. Apprentices will gain an understanding of the functional areas and external elements which make up the supply chain, from procurement, manufacturing, and delivery of products and services to the end user. The module goes into detail as to how important these concepts are to businesses and their operations.

This takes the learning from the previous module Supply Chain and Operations Design and explores what can affect an organisation’s supply chain, for instance changes to business strategy, shortage of raw materials, launch of new products and changes in customer demand for example. As a result, apprentices will gain an understanding as to what approaches can be applied to flex the supply chain network to anticipate these changes.

This module will ensure apprentices understand the importance of forecasting within the supply chain to both meet the demands of the business and satisfy the end user. Various techniques will be demonstrated which will enable the apprentice to plan for different circumstances with the aim of securing demand and building in resilience and contingency.

The Level 4 Finance and Procurement module provides you with the financial confidence they will need as successful Supply Chain Leaders. Financial confidence plays a critical role in Procurement. This module brings these two areas together to enable you to become drivers of efficiency, ensuring that ‘best value’ procurement solutions are in place.

The Level 4 Work-Based Learning Project offers you a chance to begin to develop key project management skills alongside reinforcing learning from previous modules in this level. The module is therefore designed in two parts. The first part focuses on project management and organisation skills, including some introductory research techniques. The second part allows you to work on your own project – which must be based on a challenge or issue within their own organisation – with the support of tutors.

The rationale behind this module is to introduce apprentices on aspects associated with the storage and management of stock items, and the concept of the warehouse being a temporary area to store inventory as a buffer in supply chains.

This module will introduce apprentices to the function of Logistics and how this provides the linkage between the activities of the supply chain. It is the facilitation of the movement of items, services or people from one point to another and can control all resources to ensure the correct items are in the right place at the right time, safely, expediently and cost effectively.

This module will provide the knowledge and skills to enable apprentices to understand that risk to supply chains is not limited to the aforementioned area of concern, and how it may be considered almost impossible to determine and mitigate all, however knowing their supply chain and evaluating ‘critical pinch points’ may help to produce a desired resilience to be able to maintain business activities, paying close attention to regulatory requirements and sustainability.

The inclusion of this module at Level 5 fulfils two important functions on the programme. First, it helps to prepare you for work-based projects that demand more sophisticated research techniques (L5 – Work-Based Project, and L6 – Work-Based Research Project and End Point Assessment). Second, it supports the development of critical-thinking, problem solving and 57 information literacy skills that are core to understanding the context in which businesses operate, and assessing and evaluating strategy and opportunity. In line with other modules on this course, the approach here is one of purpose-first. You will be encouraged to focus on the types of decisions that are made in the (re)design of supply chain networks, including as a result of innovation, internal or external factors. Research skills, building on those first introduced during the L4 Work-Based Learning Project module, will be presented as ways to help analyse, evaluate and make both operational and strategic decisions.

The Level 5 Work-Based Project gives you the chance to practice project management, data and research skills whilst exploring an issue or challenge within their own organisation or work that relates to themes and areas of work explored in other modules at this level. In the taught sessions for this module, you will reinforce project management skills first developed in Level 4 and develop a research plan and design that brings together research skills and acts as a proposal for the project that will be completed in the second part of the module. This helps to build skills that will be required in the final-year research project and End Point Assessment. 75 The project that you undertake will reinforce key learning at this level and, in most cases, will explore external factors and their impact on the organisation.

This module will introduce apprentices to the to understand the different terminologies and workplace control systems that may operate within the supply chain. They will also explore the benefits of eBusiness and the associated models and the impact these can have on supply chain strategies.

This module will introduce apprentices to the concept of strategy, and how this links to the overall business direction. Apprentices will gain an understanding of how a supply chain strategy can assist managers to achieve the organisation’s identified business objectives.

This module supports the acquisition and development of key leadership skills for those taking on positions of responsibility, authority and influence. It helps you understand, and make sense of, the complex nature of strategy and change within organisations including the interplay of internal and external forces which act to constrain and limit actions as well as creating opportunities. 80 During the module, you will be encouraged to think beyond the simple, linear, models which are often used to describe decision-making and to reflect on the impact of culture and inter-personal dynamics. Whilst this is undoubtedly challenging, you will be supported to develop critical thinking skills, communication skills and to become more effective and capable leaders as they embark on the next step in their supply chain leadership career.

This is the final module in the integrated degree apprenticeship – upon successful completion of this module apprentices will complete the final credits towards their degree and their apprenticeship qualification. This module comprises the completion of a substantial work-based research project 94 (including both a written report and an oral presentation) and an oral examination (viva). Together these are known as the End Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA will be led by an independent assessor who is responsible for approving the proposal for the work-based research project (which occurs as part of the gateway) and then leading the initial grading of all other elements of this module.