How Marvin found leadership confidence through an SLA

Thirteen years into his career at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Marvin Constantine decided he needed more than just experience to thrive in his leadership role.

His career at the trust began in 2011. Over time, he worked his way up from health trainer to management positions including business support manager and service manager. Despite the experience he accumulated on the job, Marvin recognised a gap in his management skill set.

“I’d completed a Level 3 leadership course in 2014, which was foundational, but I felt I needed something more strategic to build my confidence,” he explains.

During an appraisal, Marvin’s line manager recommended he explore leadership training opportunities. A further chat with his learning and development lead guided him towards the Senior Leader: Health and Social Care (Degree Apprenticeship) postgraduate diploma at the University of Bolton, which is a Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship (SLA).

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The programme aligned perfectly with his aspirations, and Marvin had the support of his employer.

Why the Senior Leader Apprenticeship?

The decision to pursue the SLA instead of other management qualifications was deliberate. Marvin aspires to progress within the system partnership environment that he works in. That demands expertise in influencing, writing persuasively and critically analysing challenges, he says.

“Long term, the SLA was the best fit for my career goals. It provided credibility and the foundational skills to manage across systems and build compelling business cases.”

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Balancing a full-time role with the demands of the apprenticeship was tough. While the weekly class sessions helped structure his learning, much of the coursework required self-directed study. Flexibility and strong support from his manager made this juggling act possible. “My manager’s backing allowed me to protect the time I needed, even if it wasn’t always the same day each week,” he says.