Almost one in three workers cite poor management as a key reason for leaving their jobs. The Chartered Management Institute estimates that inadequate management costs the UK economy £84 billion annually through lost productivity, staff turnover, and reduced innovation.
In laboratory settings, where precision, safety, and compliance are paramount, the stakes are particularly high. Technical experts are regularly promoted into management positions based on their scientific competence rather than their leadership capability. These untrained leaders (sometimes called ‘accidental managers’) find themselves struggling to navigate complex people management challenges through no fault of their own. All while maintaining technical responsibilities, often with detrimental effects on team morale, operational efficiency, and their own wellbeing.
The industry has long-since recognised the problem, but there’s never been a comprehensive solution that’s tailor made for Laboratory Managers. Until now.
When a vacancy comes up in a team for management roles, the most experienced senior technicians are typically asked to step up. They’re dropped in at the deep end, and expected to somehow learn how to lead a team with little to no training, instantly taking responsibility for managing an entire laboratory. All too often, they excel at the science, but struggle with other demanding aspects of the role. This Programme has been developed for:
- Existing Laboratory Managers who don’t have any formal leadership and management training
- Skilled Technicians who’re looking to take the next step in their career
- Construction Materials
- Polymers
- Asbestos
- Cosmetics
- Waste Management
- Water Testing
- Manufacturing
- Pharma & NHS
- Marine
- Veterinary
- Higher Education
Who’s eligible?
To enrol on the Level 5 Laboratory Management Programme, candidates must have the right to work in the UK, with at least three years’ residency. As a minimum they should also have worked in a laboratory for at least 2-3 years.
of Programme fees are paid for by the Apprenticeship levy
The Programme is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, making it highly cost-effective for employers.
- If you’re a levy-paying employer, your costs will be fully funded through your levy.
- If you’re a non-levy employer (e.g. SMEs), we will seek to source a levy transfer, so the Programme is fully funded.
When you consider the true cost of poor management (recruitment expenses, lost productivity, potential safety incidents, and quality failures) the investment in proper management development pays for itself many times over. This isn’t just about box-ticking compliance, it’s about building the leadership capabilities that drive retention, safety, quality, and operational excellence.
The Programme delivers a comprehensive blend of leadership and technical content specifically designed for laboratory environments. Unlike generic management courses, every element is tailored to the unique challenges Laboratory Managers face – from navigating regulatory frameworks like COSHH and MHRA to managing teams under high-pressure conditions, and maintaining quality standards to leading digital transformation.
Participants develop crucial skills in health and safety leadership, people management, operational excellence, data integrity, project delivery, and innovation. They learn to balance technical responsibilities with management duties, apply regulatory knowledge in practice, build and motivate teams, optimise workflows and resources, and lead technological adoption including embedded AI tools.
The Programme recognises that Laboratory Managers aren’t completely ‘off the bench’ – they have to do as well as manage – so it integrates leadership development with continued technical competence.
The Programme is designed with the workplace in mind. Participants only need to spend about six to eight hours per week learning, enabling them to remain productive in the workplace for their remaining hours, while developing new capabilities. Each module runs for 8-10 weeks and includes three 2-hour participatory online sessions where Laboratory Managers learn from each other and share solutions to common challenges.
Between sessions, participants engage in one-to-one reviews with their Tiro work based learning coach, ensuring they can apply learning directly to real challenges in their own laboratories. Asynchronous learning through a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) allows flexible study around operational demands. Throughout the Programme, learners complete a workplace project, applying their developing skills to drive measurable improvements in their lab.
This workplace-based delivery means managers aren’t disappearing for days at a time – they’re learning alongside their work, with immediate opportunities to practice and refine their skills.
The complete Programme runs for 15 months, structured as six modules, each taking around 8-10 weeks, with additional time for completion of workplace projects and final assessments. This represents a significant but manageable commitment – participants typically spend 6-8 hours per week on structured learning and development activities.
The relatively short duration of our Programme means managers can complete their qualification and start applying enhanced skills quickly, rather than committing to multi-year programmes that may not be practical given laboratory capacity constraints. Each module delivers immediate value, with participants reporting that they find the content valuable from the very first module.
The Government is making changes to Level 5 Apprenticeships from January 2026 which may increase the amount of time it takes to complete this qualification. Enrol NOW before the changes take effect.
Ready to transform accidental managers into confident, capable leaders? Getting started is straightforward. Complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will contact you to discuss your specific needs, answer any questions, and guide you through the enrolment process.
If you’re an employer, we can advise on levy funding arrangements, discuss eligibility, and help you identify the right participants. And if you’re a Lab Manager looking to formalise your qualifications, or a Laboratory Technician looking to step up, we’ll help you build a business case for your employer too.
Want to learn more about the phenomenon of accidental managers? We’ve published a white paper which is available on request. Fill in the form below to get your copy.