In the growing business industry, knowledge of operations management is an important requirement across all business functions. Thus, operation specialists are in high demand in every type of organisation. According to the Labour Force Survey 2018, there were around 6.8 million managers in the United Kingdom. However, more workforce is required for expanding business operations whether you want to work in the IT sector, healthcare or retail industry. If you also wish to become an in-demand operation manager, then you can start your journey through different courses or qualifications. So, in this article, we’ll explore the best operation management courses in the UK.

What is Operation Management?

Let’s first get a general overview of what is operation management and its importance for your business success.

Operation management refers to the strategic administration of people, resources, and processes to create and deliver products or services efficiently. In other words, this profession includes planning, coordinating, and monitoring the production activities. Hence, operation management enables you to run the company’s activities smoothly with minimum resources and achieve customer satisfaction. So, you will do everything from contract management to product delivery to operate the entire business more successfully. 

Importance of Operation Management

You might be wondering why operation management is important. The answer is efficient operation management is crucial for your business to achieve its target goals. So, this study area aims to keep your organisation’s operations as smooth as possible. The operation management is important in the following ways: 

• This field of study allows you to optimise your resources, plan for effective operations, and reduce the risk of loss. 
• Moreover, this study area enables you to produce and deliver high-quality products through effective resource management and product creation.
• Not only this, but different management practices like Total Quality Management help you to meet the customer’s standards, thus increasing your brand reputation.
• To your surprise, operation management courses and training enable you to reduce operational costs without compromising the product.
• Besides this, your business can easily adapt to market changes and innovations, thanks to your effective operation management.

Best Operation Management Courses in the UK

You may know that the UK is home to some of the best educational institutes in the world. These institutes offer the top operation management courses that enable you to work in any industry. Here are some of the best courses that you should consider in operation management: 

Undergraduate Programs

Usually, undergraduate programs are the first go-to option to take a step in your desired profession. If you are a beginner and want to join the operation management field, then you can choose undergraduate degree programs. These programs equip you with theoretical knowledge and practical applications to enter the business sector. However, these undergraduate operation management courses in the UK take 3-4 years to complete. Isn’t it a long duration? And you know what, these degree programs prepare you only for entry-level roles by the end of graduation. 

Endorsed Courses 

Don’t want to study four-year degree programs? Don’t worry, endorsed courses are another reliable option. Whether you are a beginner, or a working professional looking for a career transition, endorsed short courses in operation management perfectly fit your needs. You can gain foundation-level or higher-level diplomas from level 1 to level 8 through any reputable online platform. Or if you are currently working and looking for practical training, endorsed courses offer you learning flexibility while focusing on your skill building.

And the best part is that these courses are typically shorter with a duration from weeks to one or two years and some courses often offer recognised certificates upon course completion. So, this means you can get certified in less time and that too without compromising on your other commitments. Sounds awesome, right?

If you want to learn the operation management courses online from the UK’s well-recognised platform, consider Inspire London College as your best choice. With flexing learning and round-the-clock tutor support, you can increase your knowledge and expertise with industry experts. Besides this, you can get any course at affordable prices without breaking the bank. So, don’t wait and get your favourite course today!

Advanced Qualification

If you are already working in the field and want to specialise in your area or upskill your expertise, then advanced qualifications are your perfect option. You can select master programs or advanced-level diplomas or certifications in operation management from top institutes. These qualifications offer you the latest knowledge and innovative industry practices to enhance your expertise. 

Higher-level courses not only increase your technical knowledge but also improve your critical thinking and analytical skills. Hence, these advanced qualifications are ideal to prepare yourself for leadership positions in your desired industry. With senior roles, you can also enjoy competitive packages. According to Glassdoor, the estimated total income for operation managers is £43.716 annually. So, it’s a great offer!

Skills Required For Operation Manager

No matter which industry you choose to work in, skills play a critical role in your professional life. Through operation management courses in the UK, you can gain the following skills for your career success: 

• Leadership Skills:  As an operation manager, you should inspire and motivate your team with your strong leadership skills. So, learn to provide guidance and mentorship to your employees and help them achieve common business goals.
• Problem-solving and Decision-Making Skills: Strong problem-solving skills allow you to quickly assess situations, identify the root cause, and develop effective solutions. Besides this, good decision-making abilities enable you to choose the path that aligns with your goals.
• Organisational Skills: For effective management, you should have organisational skills to handle multiple tasks, deadlines and responsibilities. Learn to manage and keep business activities on track with the best operation management qualifications.
• Project Management Skills: As a senior operation manager, project success depends on your expertise in managing resources and supervising the team. So, project management skills like planning, risk assessment, and task allocation can turn your project into a huge success.
• Communication skills: Operation management requires collaboration across various departments from procurement to logistics and customer service. So, having good communication is crucial to facilitate teamwork within your organisation.

Besides these skills, you should also develop analytical and strategic thinking, risk management, adaptability, time management and other expertise as an operation manager.

Conclusion

In conclusion, operation management is the backbone of your organisation that handles almost every task.  However, you can become an operation manager through the best operation management courses in the UK.  Whether you are a student or a young professional, different undergraduate programs, endorsed courses and advanced qualifications can be a stepping stone to achieving your career goals. Besides this, you can master the required skills to secure the operation management roles in your favourite industry. So, find out the course that best suits your needs and get ready to step into the management world.