 There is no quick fix but more often than not organisations are brimming with unrealised management potential. There are huge benefits when managers develop within an organisation; not only do they have a greater understanding of the organisational culture, but also their enthusiasm and loyalty is undoubtedly a big influence on the teams that they manage. There are many employees, particularly in team-leading and first-line management roles, who do not have previous management experience, or possess a professional management qualification. These people have usually progressed within the organisation and are very often passionate about the people they manage, yet at times they lack understanding about the bigger picture in terms of the organisational structure and management processes. This is essential if organisations within the service industry are to succeed in developing a loyal workforce and addressing the transient culture that often exists. By making an investment in the right skills and behavioural development, an inexperienced manager will not only feel valued as an individual, but will be supported in becoming more confident, more effective within roles and enhance the contribution to the performance of the business. Business Solutions at City of Sunderland College offers training and development through education, mapping programmes to particular roles across industries, such as team leaders, first-line managers and senior managers to give opportunity for career progression. A qualification progression ladder is now in existence up to degree level, as Business Solutions, in partnership with the University of Sunderland, has launched the Foundation Degree in Service Management. This is not only one of the first to be developed specifically for the service industry, but is also the first to receive the backing of e-skills UK, the sector skills council. Each of the programmes - whether they are existing qualifications or bespoke to an organisation - cover management theory and give a huge opportunity to develop practical skills and enable the organisation to coach in best practice. Business Solutions realises the necessity for managers to take control of their personal development and, more importantly, to relate personal goals to organisational objectives in order to ensure that development exists beyond the qualification. Year one of the programme improves learner's knowledge and understanding of a range of management and leadership theories, with year two moving on to a more strategic business enterprise approach. The key to success of the foundation degree is that classroom-based theory is put into practice in the work environment through a range of ongoing projects and personal development activity. The foundation degree is a two-year, part-time programme with learners attending classroom or workshop sessions for just two consecutive days each month at the academy, based at Doxford International Business Park, Sunderland. One of the main objectives and indeed one of the reasons for the creation of the foundation degree, is to generate widespread understanding as to just how important it is to develop the management skills of both new and existing employees. Such investment represents a fantastic opportunity to ensure that we not only retain existing employees but also develop them to be our managers and leaders of the future. In addition to the Foundation Degree in Service Management, there are a range of both classroom and work-based management and leadership qualifications available through the academy. For further information about Business Solutions or the Foundation Degree in Service Management, contact Louise Marrin, industry liaison officer on (0191) 511-6759 or email louise.marrin@citysun.ac.uk. | 
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