About the
Management Training Scheme

What does the scheme offer you?

  • A three-year programme, with placements in Health Boards across Scotland. These will give you real management responsibilities, and the chance to work with senior leaders and managers.

  • A broad knowledge of the health and social care environment, with the chance to do a three-month elective.

  • A starting salary of £29,965.00, including pension, and increasing each year.

  • A fully funded Masters / post-graduate programme (General Management) or a CIPFA professional qualification (Finance Management).

  • An in-house training programme to develop your leadership and management skills.

  • Coaching from the same experts who coach our senior managers and Chief Executives.

Group meeting

Pick your path

General Management Scheme
Finance Management Scheme

General Management Scheme

Year 1

Induction and orientation (starts in September)

You'll discuss and agree with the Scheme Manager which host Board would be appropriate for you. 

You'll experience a range of NHS services in your host Board and across Scotland.  

You’ll gain an introduction to the role of general managers across the service.

You’ll select a relevant Master’s / post-graduate programme, which you’d like to pursue.

First placement (9 months) 

You'll work in a real general management post with responsibility for people, services and resources such as skills, budgets and equipment.

Continuing study and development 

You’ll take part in our in-house training programme to develop your leadership and management skills.  You’ll also select which coach you would like to work with from our team of executive coaches.

Year 2

Elective (3 months)

You get the chance to choose, and focus in on, a specialist area of work and study.

Second placement 

You'll move into another general management post in your host board, continuing to develop your understanding and consolidate your experience across the general management system.  

Continuing study and development 

You’ll continue to take part in our in-house training programme to develop your leadership and management skills.  You’ll also continue your coaching. 

year 3

You're guaranteed at least a full year of work, normally with your host NHS Board, during which you'll also complete your Master's qualification.

After year three 

After year 3, you are free to continue your career as you see fit.  Many trainees stay with their host board; some move to another NHS Board, or to a Health and Social Care Partnership.  Others move to other organisations.  The choice is yours! 

Finance Management Scheme

year 1

Induction and orientation (starts in September)

You'll discuss and agree with the Scheme Manager which host Board would be appropriate for you. 

You'll experience a range of NHS services in your host Board and across Scotland. 

You’ll gain an introduction to the role of financial managers across the service.

You’ll find out more about the CIPFA professional qualification that you’ll pursue.

First placement (9 months) 

You'll work in a real financial management post giving you an opportunity to build your knowledge and skills in this complex financial environment. 

Continuing study and development 

You’ll take part in our in-house training programme to develop your leadership and management skills.  You’ll also select which coach you would like to work with from our team of executive coaches.

year 2

Elective (3 months)

You get the chance to choose, and focus in on, a specialist area of work and study.

Second placement 

You'll move into another financial management post in your host Board, continuing to develop your understanding and consolidate your experience across the finance system. 

Continuing study and development 

You’ll continue to take part in our in-house training programme to develop your leadership and management skills.  You’ll also continue your coaching.   

year 3

You're guaranteed at least a full year of work, normally with your host NHS Board, during which you’ll complete your CIPFA qualification. 

After year three 

After year 3, you are free to continue your career as you see fit.  Many trainees stay with their host Board; some move to another NHS Board, or to a Health and Social Care Partnership.  Others move to other organisations.  The choice is yours!