“Wait, I Have to Do What Now?” — Reflections on Starting an MBA Apprenticeship
When I first signed up for the MBA via the Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship, I thought I had a fairly good idea of what I was getting into: some lectures, a few assignments, a project or two. What I wasn’t expecting was the additional layer — the requirement to build and maintain a detailed portfolio of Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs).
It’s fair to say I had a moment of “Hang on… this is a lot more than I thought.”
But now, a few months into the process, I can honestly say: this structure has real value. It forces you to take stock of the leadership work you’re already doing — and challenges you to be more deliberate, more reflective, and ultimately more effective in how you grow as a leader.
What Is This KSB Framework?
As part of the apprenticeship, I have to demonstrate how my day-to-day work aligns with the KSBs set out by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).
It covers three areas:
- Knowledge: Strategy, governance, innovation, policy, finance — the thinking side of leadership.
- Skills: Leading teams, managing change, communication, problem-solving, data analysis.
- Behaviours: Adaptability, ethical leadership, collaboration, inclusive decision-making.
The full list is available here: Level 7 Senior Leader Standard – IfATE
Mapping the Work I Do to the Framework
Once I got past the initial overwhelm, I realised I was already doing a lot of this. The challenge wasn’t so much doing more — it was about documenting and connecting it all.
1. I Keep a Weekly Leadership Log
Simple notes. Nothing fancy. Just:
- What happened this week?
- What leadership role did I play?
- What did I learn?
- Which KSBs does this touch?
2. I Created a Mapping Sheet
A basic spreadsheet with:
- Date
- Activity
- Description
- KSBs hit
- Evidence (like meeting notes, project documents, emails)
3. I Use Real Projects as Anchors
For example:
- Digital Triage Tool for Orthopaedics:
– K8 (digital innovation)
– S6 (leading agile change)
– B2 (adaptability & curiosity) - Departmental Away Day to Reset Culture:
– K6 (leading strategic change)
– S5 (team leadership)
– B3 (inclusive leadership)
It’s about working smarter — not adding extra tasks but making sense of the tasks I already lead.
What I’ve Learned So Far
At first, the portfolio felt like another admin burden — something else to do after a long day in the NHS. But now, I see it as a lens. It helps me see the value in the work I do, the progress I’ve made, and the areas where I still need to grow.
It’s also helped me be more intentional. When I take on a project now, I ask myself: how does this align with my development as a senior leader? What am I learning from this?
That’s a powerful shift.
Final Thought
If you’re just starting your apprenticeship MBA and you’re feeling slightly overwhelmed — that’s normal. But stick with it. The KSB framework, the reflection, the portfolio — they’re not just hoops to jump through. They’re the structure that makes this learning real, practical, and immediately impactful.
If you’d like a copy of my mapping sheet or a portfolio template to get started, feel free to reach out — I’m happy to share what’s working for me.