New Manager Skills Part 1

The first in a two-part series, this online course gives you the insight and tools that you need to start your journey as a  line manager with confidence and set your team up for success.

Over 4 weeks you’ll work through the resources and activities that make up each module of the course. 

A webinar is included in this course, in which you’ll have the opportunity to share experiences with peers from across the industry. Details of the webinar, including date and topic, will be shared with participants ahead of the course starting.

Why take this course now?

Transitioning from a team player to a line manager opens the door to new opportunities. By shifting your approach and growing your skill set, you'll be ready for the new responsibilities ahead. Some of these experiences may resonate with you:

Is this course right for me?

Yes, if any of the following apply to you:

• You are taking your first step into line management and are looking for tools and techniques that you can apply straight away.

• You aren’t currently leading a team but are aspiring to do so in the near future, so are looking to build your understanding of what it takes to be a great line manager.

• You’ve been managing others for a little while now, but want some fresh ideas to reinvigorate your management approach. 

Will I receive certification?

Upon completion, you’ll receive an IGD certificate, helping you to celebrate and share your achievement. There are no exams or submissions required to pass the course. 

Will I have enough time to complete it?

The course is hosted on our learning platform, LearnUpon and you can access the resources anytime between the course start and end dates, meaning you can work through the course at a pace that suits you and your other priorities. 

We’ve designed this course to be flexible enough to meet the demands of busy people in our industry. You can work through the modules at your own pace across the 4 weeks, and it should take around 6 hours to complete. That’s around an hour of learning per week, which we have found is manageable for most people. It also helps if you can make your own line manager aware that you are taking part.

For those who want to continue learning, our New Manager Skills – Part 2 course builds on themes explored in part 1 and will give you the tools to create a high performing team. 

Does it matter what area of the business I work in?

No, this course is designed to be a broad introduction so is relevant to those working in any function within the industry. Thousands of people from across the industry supply chain have already completed this course. 

How has this course helped others?

Have a question?

Contact us

We update our courses regularly to ensure we have the most relevant and up-to-date topics, so the below is a guide on the key focus areas based on our 2026 course: 

Me: Develop your confidence as a manager

• Understand the mindset of a leader

• Develop your own management approach by reflecting on your purpose

• Understand imposter syndrome and how to overcome real and perceived fears

My team: Learn how to set up your team for success

• Build a trusting team

• Explore a framework for great communication with your team

• Develop your coaching and feedback skills, including how to have difficult conversations

Our work: Explore how to get the most out of your team

• Understand how to support your team to prioritise effectively

• Learn how to delegate effectively

• Learn about goal setting

What happens next?

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive full access details and joining instructions before the course start date.